24-7 Prayer
October 16, 2012
We believe that God is once again calling us to fill an entire week with unbroken prayer, day and night. Is it truly worth it to get up in the middle of the night to fill an hour slot in a prayer room? We think so. In fact, we’re totally convinced.
It feels like at this point I am supposed to promise that God will meet you there in a special way. That there will be miracles. That your life will be touched, maybe forever altered. That you’ll love it. That the sixty minutes you committed to will seem like six as you revel in the Presence of the Almighty, and you’ll wish you had signed up for more time. Truthfully, these things regularly do happen in prayer rooms around the world, and I believe they will in this one as well. However, I am making no promises, other than that your Father likes it when you pray, and He listens and cares. And that it really does matter. It’s important.
My experiences in prayer rooms have been varied. Yes, there are times that have been very special, where I’ve felt something tingly and wonderful. There have been more times when I’ve felt sleepy and wondered what I was doing, and questioned the wisdom of signing up for the 3 am slot. But I’ve come to this conclusion: The real reason for this whole 24-7 Prayer thing has less to do with me than with God and His Kingdom. It doesn’t ultimately matter if I had a wonderful time or a very not wonderful time. Jesus wants us to pray. You and I have been invited into something that is so much bigger than us. We can actually contribute to the establishing and growing of the Kingdom of God in our city, and the primary way we do this is by praying. This is freakin exciting!
So, come and pray with us. Wonderful things will happen. Lives will be changed. Miracles will happen. The Kingdom is near!
We are committed to filling a solid week with unbroken prayer, going from October 19-26, 2012. We’d really love for you to join us. If you are interested in this, follow this link for information about how to sign up: www.tulsaboilerroom.com/prayer/prayer-room-info. Also, invite your friends, churches, student groups, etc. To help you do this, we’ve set up a Facebook event. Find that here, and feel free to invite others.
God bless you!
It feels like at this point I am supposed to promise that God will meet you there in a special way. That there will be miracles. That your life will be touched, maybe forever altered. That you’ll love it. That the sixty minutes you committed to will seem like six as you revel in the Presence of the Almighty, and you’ll wish you had signed up for more time. Truthfully, these things regularly do happen in prayer rooms around the world, and I believe they will in this one as well. However, I am making no promises, other than that your Father likes it when you pray, and He listens and cares. And that it really does matter. It’s important.
My experiences in prayer rooms have been varied. Yes, there are times that have been very special, where I’ve felt something tingly and wonderful. There have been more times when I’ve felt sleepy and wondered what I was doing, and questioned the wisdom of signing up for the 3 am slot. But I’ve come to this conclusion: The real reason for this whole 24-7 Prayer thing has less to do with me than with God and His Kingdom. It doesn’t ultimately matter if I had a wonderful time or a very not wonderful time. Jesus wants us to pray. You and I have been invited into something that is so much bigger than us. We can actually contribute to the establishing and growing of the Kingdom of God in our city, and the primary way we do this is by praying. This is freakin exciting!
So, come and pray with us. Wonderful things will happen. Lives will be changed. Miracles will happen. The Kingdom is near!
We are committed to filling a solid week with unbroken prayer, going from October 19-26, 2012. We’d really love for you to join us. If you are interested in this, follow this link for information about how to sign up: www.tulsaboilerroom.com/prayer/prayer-room-info. Also, invite your friends, churches, student groups, etc. To help you do this, we’ve set up a Facebook event. Find that here, and feel free to invite others.
God bless you!
Gospel of the Loving Lamb
October 2, 2012
Our method of proclaiming salvation is this: to point out to every heart the loving lamb, who died for us... by the preaching of His blood... never, either in discourse or in argument, to digress... from the loving Lamb:... to preach no commandment except faith in Him; no other justification but that He atoned for us; no other sanctification but the privilege to sin no more; no other happiness but to be near Him, to think of Him and do His pleasure; no other self-denial but to be deprived of Him and His blessings; no other calamity but to displease Him; no other life but in Him.
-- Count Nikolaus von Zinzendorf
(in Encountering Missionary Life and Work by Tom Steffen)
-- Count Nikolaus von Zinzendorf
(in Encountering Missionary Life and Work by Tom Steffen)
called.
September 22, 2012
A few rambling thoughts about “Calling”
Paul said this to the believers in Rome, “And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints…” (Rom 1:6-7). We are all called. Very cool. He also said, a few sentences earlier, “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God” (Rom 1:1). We are all called to be saints, and to belong to Jesus. Some are called to be apostles and “set apart for the Gospel.” There are general callings and specific callings. The general callings are enough to keep us busy and useful in the Kingdom. Loving one another and reflecting who Jesus is. In Romans 12:5-6, Paul also says, “So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.” I think this means that we all have a specific calling, but that our specific callings are very different from one another. And, of course, it is important for everyone in the body that we each walk in the specific calling He has for us. This is not something to stress out about… to waste needless energy pondering what our gifts and callings are. God is the giver of gifts and the initiator. However, we do have an important role: to trust and to surrender and to obey that which we do know.
Some people are called to be leaders in local fellowships. Others are called to faithfully live out the Gospel within those same fellowships, without a leadership task. The value of each person is the same. The “well done” reward from God will not be based on how much one did in the Kingdom compared to the other, but on the obedience of each to Jesus. Being a leader does not make one better or more important. Some are called to be missionaries, and to take the Gospel to other lands. These, too, are loved the same. Neither more nor less. These, too, are simply sons and daughters, going about their Father’s business in the way he calls them to.
Some are “set apart for the Gospel.” It is God who does the setting apart. One does not set himself apart. Yet, he does respond. He acknowledges that God has set him apart. He seeks the input of others in the Church. He asks his elders and leaders if they sense that God has in fact set him apart. And he waits and submits and pursues and follows and obeys and wonders and acts and prays. He wrestles with motives. With ambition. With fears and insecurities. With pride. With delusions of grandeur. With doubts. He surrenders again. He surrenders more. He goes through difficult times of refining and preparation, and does not feel like he is being refined and prepared, but only that he is going through tough times. He becomes concerned that it is taking so long, and that God seems to be silent, no longer giving specific instructions, and no longer fanning the flames of the calling. He wonders if his “calling” is just his desire to escape a useless and boring existence. Ultimately, he comes to the place where he is willing. He is willing to live out the Kingdom however and wherever the King ordains for him. In his “boring” job, or in the “uttermost parts” of the earth. In vocational Christian ministry or in ministry through another vocation.
He recognizes that he was not called because of his greatness or his unusual potential. In fact, he comes to realize that he may never know why God seems to have put His hand on him and called him out. He just knows – or believes – that something inside compels him to pursue a life devoted to the Gospel. He understands, at least in some sense, the words of Paul, “Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Cor 9:16).
Before this gets too long, I think I’ll go to bullet-points for the rest...
* People become aware of their callings in different ways – mystical experiences, a deep love or burden for a specific group of people or geographic area, through conviction that comes when reading the Bible, a profound sense of “someone ought to do something…,” etc.
* God does not force you to follow the call he gives. You can say no. You can get distracted. You can begin, and then give up. You can become deceived (This happens in line with our wills… we are deceived because we are unwilling to surrender).
* God loves you just the same if you do not follow His call for your life. He does not love you any more if you follow perfectly.
* God leads you and calls you from where you are today. If you blew it 15 years ago (and 12 years ago, and again 7 years ago, and again last week…), He can redeem it all, and make something beautiful of your life. You are not finished if you failed to follow at some point in the past. However, you will have to face the same issues of casting down your idols, counting the cost, and surrendering all.
* It is better for you, and for the Kingdom, and for the people you are called to, if you obey every time.
* The recognition of your call by the church is an important part of this whole thing.
* Patience is really good. We are often in the position of having to manage this tension: I need to stay engaged with and pursue my calling and not get distracted (on one hand) and I need to be patient and wait for the Lord and allow Him to prepare me in His timing (on the other hand). This is not easy.
* I think the enemy seeks to keep you from God’s calling. He can do it through tempting you to pursue other ends, through fear, through distraction, and many other devilish schemes.
* If you feel called into some kind of vocational or missions ministry, what should you do? Well, for starters, consider this list:
Paul said this to the believers in Rome, “And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints…” (Rom 1:6-7). We are all called. Very cool. He also said, a few sentences earlier, “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God” (Rom 1:1). We are all called to be saints, and to belong to Jesus. Some are called to be apostles and “set apart for the Gospel.” There are general callings and specific callings. The general callings are enough to keep us busy and useful in the Kingdom. Loving one another and reflecting who Jesus is. In Romans 12:5-6, Paul also says, “So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.” I think this means that we all have a specific calling, but that our specific callings are very different from one another. And, of course, it is important for everyone in the body that we each walk in the specific calling He has for us. This is not something to stress out about… to waste needless energy pondering what our gifts and callings are. God is the giver of gifts and the initiator. However, we do have an important role: to trust and to surrender and to obey that which we do know.
Some people are called to be leaders in local fellowships. Others are called to faithfully live out the Gospel within those same fellowships, without a leadership task. The value of each person is the same. The “well done” reward from God will not be based on how much one did in the Kingdom compared to the other, but on the obedience of each to Jesus. Being a leader does not make one better or more important. Some are called to be missionaries, and to take the Gospel to other lands. These, too, are loved the same. Neither more nor less. These, too, are simply sons and daughters, going about their Father’s business in the way he calls them to.
Some are “set apart for the Gospel.” It is God who does the setting apart. One does not set himself apart. Yet, he does respond. He acknowledges that God has set him apart. He seeks the input of others in the Church. He asks his elders and leaders if they sense that God has in fact set him apart. And he waits and submits and pursues and follows and obeys and wonders and acts and prays. He wrestles with motives. With ambition. With fears and insecurities. With pride. With delusions of grandeur. With doubts. He surrenders again. He surrenders more. He goes through difficult times of refining and preparation, and does not feel like he is being refined and prepared, but only that he is going through tough times. He becomes concerned that it is taking so long, and that God seems to be silent, no longer giving specific instructions, and no longer fanning the flames of the calling. He wonders if his “calling” is just his desire to escape a useless and boring existence. Ultimately, he comes to the place where he is willing. He is willing to live out the Kingdom however and wherever the King ordains for him. In his “boring” job, or in the “uttermost parts” of the earth. In vocational Christian ministry or in ministry through another vocation.
He recognizes that he was not called because of his greatness or his unusual potential. In fact, he comes to realize that he may never know why God seems to have put His hand on him and called him out. He just knows – or believes – that something inside compels him to pursue a life devoted to the Gospel. He understands, at least in some sense, the words of Paul, “Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Cor 9:16).
Before this gets too long, I think I’ll go to bullet-points for the rest...
* People become aware of their callings in different ways – mystical experiences, a deep love or burden for a specific group of people or geographic area, through conviction that comes when reading the Bible, a profound sense of “someone ought to do something…,” etc.
* God does not force you to follow the call he gives. You can say no. You can get distracted. You can begin, and then give up. You can become deceived (This happens in line with our wills… we are deceived because we are unwilling to surrender).
* God loves you just the same if you do not follow His call for your life. He does not love you any more if you follow perfectly.
* God leads you and calls you from where you are today. If you blew it 15 years ago (and 12 years ago, and again 7 years ago, and again last week…), He can redeem it all, and make something beautiful of your life. You are not finished if you failed to follow at some point in the past. However, you will have to face the same issues of casting down your idols, counting the cost, and surrendering all.
* It is better for you, and for the Kingdom, and for the people you are called to, if you obey every time.
* The recognition of your call by the church is an important part of this whole thing.
* Patience is really good. We are often in the position of having to manage this tension: I need to stay engaged with and pursue my calling and not get distracted (on one hand) and I need to be patient and wait for the Lord and allow Him to prepare me in His timing (on the other hand). This is not easy.
* I think the enemy seeks to keep you from God’s calling. He can do it through tempting you to pursue other ends, through fear, through distraction, and many other devilish schemes.
* If you feel called into some kind of vocational or missions ministry, what should you do? Well, for starters, consider this list:
- be faithful where you are, serving in a local community
- talk to those over you in the Lord (if these people don’t exist, find them)
- pursue training / equipping
- pray. in fact, pray a lot.
- prepare through learning about the specific area of your call. read books & articles, talk to people, study language, etc.
- keep praying
- look for open doors and opportunities
- spend time with people who have similar dreams, or anyone who can encourage you to press on and pursue what’s in your heart
Scandal of the Gospel
September 6, 2012
Jesus is Enough!
These scandalous statements are true because of Jesus:
* You do not have to pray or read the Bible or tithe or go to church.
* God will forgive the same stupid sin over and over, without need for penance
* You are deeply loved by God. He likes your face.
* You are His favorite son / daughter.
* God does not like you better if you serve him well.
* You cannot make yourself more desirable or acceptable to God.
* God is not perpetually ticked at you.
* You are good enough. (Jesus has made you so).
* What you are doing is enough. (Jesus has already done everything).
* God is committed to you.
* God has affection for you.
Now that is GOOD NEWS!!!!!
These scandalous statements are true because of Jesus:
* You do not have to pray or read the Bible or tithe or go to church.
* God will forgive the same stupid sin over and over, without need for penance
* You are deeply loved by God. He likes your face.
* You are His favorite son / daughter.
* God does not like you better if you serve him well.
* You cannot make yourself more desirable or acceptable to God.
* God is not perpetually ticked at you.
* You are good enough. (Jesus has made you so).
* What you are doing is enough. (Jesus has already done everything).
* God is committed to you.
* God has affection for you.
Now that is GOOD NEWS!!!!!
It Doesn't Work (for me)! -- Part 2
August 15, 2012
Daily prayer. Consistent, intentional time with Jesus. Reading the Bible. Ok, so I do need it. And maybe I’m ready to think about trying this whole thing… again. It hasn’t worked before. But maybe there’s hope. I’m fairly skeptical, but maybe. So… how do I do it?
I’m going to give a few simple and practical ideas that I hope will be helpful. There is no formula for this. Remember, we’re talking about a relationship. The most important relationship of your life! And relationships can be unpredictable. And messy. And no two are exactly the same. Before I get to the ideas of what to actually do when you pray, there are a couple of important thoughts to get us started.
First, begin small. That’s basic enough. Don’t try and be a spiritual giant in a day. Set a goal to pray and read the Bible for 15 minutes every day. You can do that. Eventually, you’ll probably want to do more. But don’t worry about that for now.
Secondly, begin simply. There are many places to go in the journey of prayer. There is much we can do in interceding for our friends, for our church family, and even for the world. We can soar to lofty places in adoration and worship. We can dig deep into personal consecration, inner healing, and total surrender. But there is plenty of time for all that. Begin with the love of God. Ask Him to reveal His love to you, and take a minute to receive it. Tell Him that you love Him, too. Begin to ask him for the things that you need, and tell Him about your problems, and how you feel. Yes, this is self-focused prayer, and not the most tremendous kind perhaps. But it is prayer, and it is vitally important, and God calls us to it. It’s a great place to begin, and to come back to often, no matter where we are on the journey.
Here are 12 (12 is more powerful than 10) suggestions for what to do with your devotional time. Be creative, and be you.
Remember that this is about following Jesus, and growing in intimate friendship with him. This is his invitation, and it is the greatest thing in the world. You get to spend time with the God of everything, because He pursues you and invites you.
Jesus likes spending time with you.
(isn’t that kind of a freaky thought?)
I’m going to give a few simple and practical ideas that I hope will be helpful. There is no formula for this. Remember, we’re talking about a relationship. The most important relationship of your life! And relationships can be unpredictable. And messy. And no two are exactly the same. Before I get to the ideas of what to actually do when you pray, there are a couple of important thoughts to get us started.
First, begin small. That’s basic enough. Don’t try and be a spiritual giant in a day. Set a goal to pray and read the Bible for 15 minutes every day. You can do that. Eventually, you’ll probably want to do more. But don’t worry about that for now.
Secondly, begin simply. There are many places to go in the journey of prayer. There is much we can do in interceding for our friends, for our church family, and even for the world. We can soar to lofty places in adoration and worship. We can dig deep into personal consecration, inner healing, and total surrender. But there is plenty of time for all that. Begin with the love of God. Ask Him to reveal His love to you, and take a minute to receive it. Tell Him that you love Him, too. Begin to ask him for the things that you need, and tell Him about your problems, and how you feel. Yes, this is self-focused prayer, and not the most tremendous kind perhaps. But it is prayer, and it is vitally important, and God calls us to it. It’s a great place to begin, and to come back to often, no matter where we are on the journey.
Here are 12 (12 is more powerful than 10) suggestions for what to do with your devotional time. Be creative, and be you.
- Read one chapter of the Bible, and take a few minutes to pray whatever comes to your mind as you interact with the Word.
- Pray through the Lord’s Prayer – taking a moment after each line to reflect or go deeper. Or, in a similar way, pray through a psalm.
- Mix prayer with something else that you genuinely enjoy. A cup of coffee. An artistic expression. My favorite prayer activity during this season is walking in our neighborhood park. This has become a sacred place to me, as I have enjoyed fellowship with the Father there over the years.
- Journal. I often love to write out my prayers to God. For some reason, I find it easiest to listen to Him as I write to Him. I will sometimes have my prayer time at a favorite coffee shop, writing and listening to the Holy Spirit.
- Make use of a 24-7 prayer room. These provide a wonderful atmosphere of prayer. They inspire creative ways of spending time with God, and doing it as part of a wider community.
- Listen to a worship song, and let that catapult you into a time of communion with Jesus.
- Mix it up sometimes, and do something different. Pray in a different location, or with a different focus.
- Use a liturgy. There are some great ones out there. You can use an online tool such as this one: http://m.explorefaith.org/prayer/fixed/hours.php, or get a great book, like Celtic Daily Prayer.
- Pray in tongues. Seriously. This is a gift from the Father, and His gifts are good.
- Pray with others sometimes. This can be tough and awkward, but very rewarding. It brings greater intimacy with the Father, and also greater intimacy with your friends. You can use most of the ideas mentioned here in corporate prayer as well as individual prayer -- such as praying through a psalm, using a liturgy, etc. (Note: Journaling may not be the best corporate prayer activity, Tyler).
- Remember to pray throughout the day. Turn the radio off in your car sometimes, and focus on Jesus. Turn to God for small conversations dozens of times each day. This works best when combined with a daily, intentional time together.
- Read large sections of God's Word. Sit and read for half on hour or an hour. You get a very different and needed perspective by doing this, rather than always limiting your reading to a few verses or a chapter.
Remember that this is about following Jesus, and growing in intimate friendship with him. This is his invitation, and it is the greatest thing in the world. You get to spend time with the God of everything, because He pursues you and invites you.
Jesus likes spending time with you.
(isn’t that kind of a freaky thought?)
It Doesn't Work (for me)!
August 6, 2012
Yeah, sure. I know. We need to pray and read the Bible every day. It’s important for us. It makes the day go better. We can’t get along without it. We have more peace. More joy. More love. More fruit. I know that’s all true. In general. But honestly, I tried it, and it doesn’t really work for me. In fact, I really can’t even do it. I just can’t. So I try and sorta pray throughout the day, go to church, and do my best.
Sound familiar? Many of us have been there at one time or another, and I believe many of you probably are right now. I’ve been there. But I need to tell you this: You really can do it. And yes, it is important for you. In fact, it’s really important. You cannot afford to ignore this. And from one undisciplined, pathetic pray-er to another, I offer this as an encouragement and (hopefully) help:
The Bible often talks about God’s Kingdom using the example of seeds. They don’t come up in a day. It’s the same way with other relationships. I can’t spend time with my kids once, and be disappointed that nothing amazing happened. In order for our relationship to grow, and for me to reap the benefits of that relationship, we need lots of time together on a consistent basis. The huge majority of those times are simply un-special. Some are outright tedious. But over time… it becomes something beautiful.
There’s no such thing as a bad quiet time with the Lord. There are many times when we don’t feel anything and don’t hear anything. The point is being there. So what if you suck at praying? Just do it anyway. That’s what matters. So what if all your praying is self-centered? Keep doing it. You’ll grow. So what if you never hear God’s voice? If you always get distracted? If you can’t focus on the Bible? If you hate mornings? If you don’t know what to say? Listen to this! There is a place for you in God’s heart. There is an invitation for you. He has promised to help you pray. But it takes time.
Remember Luke 18:1? “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up…” Jesus says you should do this. And to not give up!
Here’s another thing that might seem a bit shocking. We don’t just pray because it’s good for us. We pray because it’s good. We have been conditioned to think that the Gospel is really all about us – even though of course we know enough to say that it’s about Jesus. We “accept” the Gospel because our lives will be better. Because we need Jesus. Because we’ll find purpose and meaning. Because we’ll find fulfillment and contentment. Because we’ll get eternal life. Because we’ll get healing and wholeness. Whatever. But that’s all about us. Those things are right and good, and are certainly part of the Gospel. But ultimately, this whole deal is about Jesus. He is the center of it. We receive Him and follow Him because He is Lord, and that’s what we were created for.
So what does that have to do with the whole doing Bible and prayer stuff every day? Just this: It doesn’t have to be a good time for you in order for it to be right and essential. Jesus is calling you. If you are a follower of Jesus, remember that means that you are compelled to deny yourself and take up the cross daily (Luke 9:23). It doesn’t matter if it seems to be “working” for you or not. Jesus wants you to do it, and that makes it a HUGE priority. Remember that time people told Jesus that His mother and brothers were looking for Him? He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice” (Lk 8:21). Prayer and Bible reading do not have to feel right. You don’t have to feel the growth. But you are called to this. How can you hear God’s word without consistently listening for it? How can you deny yourself daily without gaining the strength to do so from Jesus? You cannot. And if you try, you will, in a very short time, have given all you have to give. Jesus can renew your life. Daily.
Ok, so that part was kind of tough. But there is more. When you decide to live in daily self-denial, and to seek Him daily, good things do happen. Inside of you. When you decide that it’s not all about your fulfillment or your feeling good, you find that He gives you the contentment and peace and joy you’ve longed for. Again: it takes time. But, remember, He said we should persist, and not give up. Eventually He will work that revelation into you, and you will know that life is coming into you each day as you devote time to Him. You’ll have a conviction of this truth that is stronger than your fickle emotions. And – though it will still be hard – you will hunger and thirst for Him, and you will know for sure that you need time with Him daily.
One other important note. You don’t need to do this in order to be a Christian. Your salvation comes by grace through faith. You do not pray daily in order to become a Christian, but because you are one.
So… We need to pray and read the Bible every day. It’s important for us. It makes the day go better. We can’t get along without it. We have more peace. More joy. More love. More fruit. I know that’s all true. For me. For you. For real.
Sound familiar? Many of us have been there at one time or another, and I believe many of you probably are right now. I’ve been there. But I need to tell you this: You really can do it. And yes, it is important for you. In fact, it’s really important. You cannot afford to ignore this. And from one undisciplined, pathetic pray-er to another, I offer this as an encouragement and (hopefully) help:
The Bible often talks about God’s Kingdom using the example of seeds. They don’t come up in a day. It’s the same way with other relationships. I can’t spend time with my kids once, and be disappointed that nothing amazing happened. In order for our relationship to grow, and for me to reap the benefits of that relationship, we need lots of time together on a consistent basis. The huge majority of those times are simply un-special. Some are outright tedious. But over time… it becomes something beautiful.
There’s no such thing as a bad quiet time with the Lord. There are many times when we don’t feel anything and don’t hear anything. The point is being there. So what if you suck at praying? Just do it anyway. That’s what matters. So what if all your praying is self-centered? Keep doing it. You’ll grow. So what if you never hear God’s voice? If you always get distracted? If you can’t focus on the Bible? If you hate mornings? If you don’t know what to say? Listen to this! There is a place for you in God’s heart. There is an invitation for you. He has promised to help you pray. But it takes time.
Remember Luke 18:1? “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up…” Jesus says you should do this. And to not give up!
Here’s another thing that might seem a bit shocking. We don’t just pray because it’s good for us. We pray because it’s good. We have been conditioned to think that the Gospel is really all about us – even though of course we know enough to say that it’s about Jesus. We “accept” the Gospel because our lives will be better. Because we need Jesus. Because we’ll find purpose and meaning. Because we’ll find fulfillment and contentment. Because we’ll get eternal life. Because we’ll get healing and wholeness. Whatever. But that’s all about us. Those things are right and good, and are certainly part of the Gospel. But ultimately, this whole deal is about Jesus. He is the center of it. We receive Him and follow Him because He is Lord, and that’s what we were created for.
So what does that have to do with the whole doing Bible and prayer stuff every day? Just this: It doesn’t have to be a good time for you in order for it to be right and essential. Jesus is calling you. If you are a follower of Jesus, remember that means that you are compelled to deny yourself and take up the cross daily (Luke 9:23). It doesn’t matter if it seems to be “working” for you or not. Jesus wants you to do it, and that makes it a HUGE priority. Remember that time people told Jesus that His mother and brothers were looking for Him? He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice” (Lk 8:21). Prayer and Bible reading do not have to feel right. You don’t have to feel the growth. But you are called to this. How can you hear God’s word without consistently listening for it? How can you deny yourself daily without gaining the strength to do so from Jesus? You cannot. And if you try, you will, in a very short time, have given all you have to give. Jesus can renew your life. Daily.
Ok, so that part was kind of tough. But there is more. When you decide to live in daily self-denial, and to seek Him daily, good things do happen. Inside of you. When you decide that it’s not all about your fulfillment or your feeling good, you find that He gives you the contentment and peace and joy you’ve longed for. Again: it takes time. But, remember, He said we should persist, and not give up. Eventually He will work that revelation into you, and you will know that life is coming into you each day as you devote time to Him. You’ll have a conviction of this truth that is stronger than your fickle emotions. And – though it will still be hard – you will hunger and thirst for Him, and you will know for sure that you need time with Him daily.
One other important note. You don’t need to do this in order to be a Christian. Your salvation comes by grace through faith. You do not pray daily in order to become a Christian, but because you are one.
So… We need to pray and read the Bible every day. It’s important for us. It makes the day go better. We can’t get along without it. We have more peace. More joy. More love. More fruit. I know that’s all true. For me. For you. For real.
Longing
July 2, 2012
As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?
-- Psalm 42:1-2
I long for God. Not for an experience. Not for a spiritual high. But to know Him. To walk with Him. To be sure of His presence. To know that He loves me, and to love Him in return. To be faithful. To honor him in my life – with my actions, my words, my very thoughts. To serve His Kingdom and advance His mission. To represent Him rightly. To give Him all my burdens, and to receive His in return (so light and beautiful they are – and yet so real and right!).
I don’t tend to get goose bumps. I’ve never seen a vision or heard an audible voice. I'm not always sure what it means to feel His presence in a service. But I want to know Him, and I rejoice in the sure knowledge that He is with me.
I long for God! My thirst for Him is deeper than the more surface emotions that tend to dominate my daily life. It is deeper than my longing for comfort or security or even happiness. Yet it is not simply rational. It is deeply emotional. It exists in the place where reason and will and emotion all swirl together. It informs my decisions and how I choose to live my life.
I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death. – Phil 3:10
I know that many of you are right there with me. You read passages like the ones quoted here, and something stirs deep within.
Deep calls to deep
in the roar of your waterfalls
Psalm 42:7
How do we respond to this – this ache that is so beautiful and mysterious? This yearning that is never quite satisfied, but which is itself desirable and somehow fulfilling?
And what about those of us who are in a season (or a life) devoid of such stirrings? You want to long for God, but you feel tired, dry, and deeply alone. All motivation towards spiritual things has vanished, and you are discouraged, confused, and perhaps even angry.
In whichever state of spiritual aliveness you find yourself, I invite you into the ancient journey into God’s heart. Whether as a response to the inner ache or a response to the apparent lack thereof, there is a simple way marked out for us. The description of it appears utterly un-profound. The practice can feel forced and unproductive. And the inner voices proclaim, “It doesn’t work for me. I’ve tried it before.” And yet, with persistence, endurance, and simple faith, I believe we can all find our way and experience more of God in our daily walk.
Prayer. Whether you are good or bad at it, whether full of faith or riddled with doubt, I challenge you to simply pray. Every day. Even if you can set aside 15 minutes in the morning, and another few in the evening… tell God you want Him. Ask Him to reveal His love to you. Share your heart, and ask to know His.
The Word. His Word is life. It is light. It is bread. Again, its ok to start small. Little bites each day. Read one chapter in the morning. Meditate on a single verse all day long. Ask God to speak to you, and listen to His voice, telling you who you are and who He is, and how He sees you.
Community. We need each other. Specifically, we need to gather together, centered on prayer and the Word. Don’t stop just because you feel too busy or too dry or too whatever.
I invite you to renew your commitment to the above practices, with a few simple thoughts:
1. Do them in faith. Choose to believe that God is doing more than you sense.
2. Be consistent. Just as your body needs to eat, drink, and breathe fairly regularly, so your spirit needs these practices.
3. Persist. Don’t give up. Be patient. You can go long periods of time completely unaware of God’s activity – but you are building health and receiving life with each small step.
Deep calls to deep. Something of God is calling to something deep within you. You may feel it. You may just have to accept it. But joy comes only in responding to Him.
so my soul pants for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?
-- Psalm 42:1-2
I long for God. Not for an experience. Not for a spiritual high. But to know Him. To walk with Him. To be sure of His presence. To know that He loves me, and to love Him in return. To be faithful. To honor him in my life – with my actions, my words, my very thoughts. To serve His Kingdom and advance His mission. To represent Him rightly. To give Him all my burdens, and to receive His in return (so light and beautiful they are – and yet so real and right!).
I don’t tend to get goose bumps. I’ve never seen a vision or heard an audible voice. I'm not always sure what it means to feel His presence in a service. But I want to know Him, and I rejoice in the sure knowledge that He is with me.
I long for God! My thirst for Him is deeper than the more surface emotions that tend to dominate my daily life. It is deeper than my longing for comfort or security or even happiness. Yet it is not simply rational. It is deeply emotional. It exists in the place where reason and will and emotion all swirl together. It informs my decisions and how I choose to live my life.
I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death. – Phil 3:10
I know that many of you are right there with me. You read passages like the ones quoted here, and something stirs deep within.
Deep calls to deep
in the roar of your waterfalls
Psalm 42:7
How do we respond to this – this ache that is so beautiful and mysterious? This yearning that is never quite satisfied, but which is itself desirable and somehow fulfilling?
And what about those of us who are in a season (or a life) devoid of such stirrings? You want to long for God, but you feel tired, dry, and deeply alone. All motivation towards spiritual things has vanished, and you are discouraged, confused, and perhaps even angry.
In whichever state of spiritual aliveness you find yourself, I invite you into the ancient journey into God’s heart. Whether as a response to the inner ache or a response to the apparent lack thereof, there is a simple way marked out for us. The description of it appears utterly un-profound. The practice can feel forced and unproductive. And the inner voices proclaim, “It doesn’t work for me. I’ve tried it before.” And yet, with persistence, endurance, and simple faith, I believe we can all find our way and experience more of God in our daily walk.
Prayer. Whether you are good or bad at it, whether full of faith or riddled with doubt, I challenge you to simply pray. Every day. Even if you can set aside 15 minutes in the morning, and another few in the evening… tell God you want Him. Ask Him to reveal His love to you. Share your heart, and ask to know His.
The Word. His Word is life. It is light. It is bread. Again, its ok to start small. Little bites each day. Read one chapter in the morning. Meditate on a single verse all day long. Ask God to speak to you, and listen to His voice, telling you who you are and who He is, and how He sees you.
Community. We need each other. Specifically, we need to gather together, centered on prayer and the Word. Don’t stop just because you feel too busy or too dry or too whatever.
I invite you to renew your commitment to the above practices, with a few simple thoughts:
1. Do them in faith. Choose to believe that God is doing more than you sense.
2. Be consistent. Just as your body needs to eat, drink, and breathe fairly regularly, so your spirit needs these practices.
3. Persist. Don’t give up. Be patient. You can go long periods of time completely unaware of God’s activity – but you are building health and receiving life with each small step.
Deep calls to deep. Something of God is calling to something deep within you. You may feel it. You may just have to accept it. But joy comes only in responding to Him.
Family at Own Park
March 12, 2012
God has called us, as His representatives in our city, to reach out to the lost and broken, and to minister to the needs of the poor and oppressed. This is a calling for all of us as the people of God. Many in the Tulsa Boiler Room are actively involved in ministry to the lost through a variety of means, and we want to champion all of this. Others have dreams in their hearts planted there by God, and we want to help cultivate and support these Kingdom endeavors. In addition to that, God has given us the ministry of Owen Park Outreach (OPO) as a practical and meaningful way of impacting the marginalized of our city.
There are a number of ways you can play a significant role in the ministry of OPO. If you are not actively engaged in other intentional outreach efforts, we want to strongly encourage you to commit to some level of service with OPO. This does not simply come from a place of need within OPO, but from a conviction that God is calling us to live out his mission right here in Tulsa, and that it is an important component in our discipleship. Following are some possible areas of commitment:
1 Welcoming: Be intentionally ready each week at spuds or Tuesday nights to welcome and engage friends who come from OPO.
2 Attending: Participate in the Thurs bbq regularly and help to build a family atmosphere.
3 Serving. This looks like committing to one of the following at least 2 times per month:
5 Giving: In order to financially support this ministry, contact us at tulsaboiler@gmail.com, or see Rachel McIntyre or Katie Bleeker.
6 Discipling: (any of the following)
There are a number of ways you can play a significant role in the ministry of OPO. If you are not actively engaged in other intentional outreach efforts, we want to strongly encourage you to commit to some level of service with OPO. This does not simply come from a place of need within OPO, but from a conviction that God is calling us to live out his mission right here in Tulsa, and that it is an important component in our discipleship. Following are some possible areas of commitment:
1 Welcoming: Be intentionally ready each week at spuds or Tuesday nights to welcome and engage friends who come from OPO.
2 Attending: Participate in the Thurs bbq regularly and help to build a family atmosphere.
3 Serving. This looks like committing to one of the following at least 2 times per month:
- Being available to serve in whatever way needed from 5:30 – 9:00. Could include: loading up at the McIntyres’, giving rides, setting up, grilling, helping in line, interacting with people, participating in circle time…
- Being available to serve in whatever way needed from 6:30 – 10:00. Could include: leading or participating in circle time, tearing down at park, giving rides, unloading and doing dishes at the McIntyres’
- Shopping sometime before the event
5 Giving: In order to financially support this ministry, contact us at tulsaboiler@gmail.com, or see Rachel McIntyre or Katie Bleeker.
6 Discipling: (any of the following)
- Weekly d-group with OPO friend (OPO leaders can help to set this up)
- Checking in by phone / getting coffee a couple times a month with someone
- Volunteering to help someone in practical ways: giving rides, mentoring in specific areas (finance, health, time, …), etc.
With Jesus
February 2, 2012
Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelvethat they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. –Mark 3:13-15I’ve developed kind of a bad habit lately. It’s about Philip. I’ve been letting him lay down with me when I go to bed at night sometimes. It’s a bad habit because, firstly, he should already be tucked away in his own bed fast asleep by the time I get around to heading to bed. And secondly, it’s a bad habit because he wants to do it all the time, and he really should learn how to settle down in his own bed at night. Some nights he reads to me. Other nights he just talks… And talks… And talks. In fact, on such nights I often fall asleep to the sound of his voice. Like I said, a bad habit. But I’m not going to stop anytime soon. Because this is my son, and he wants to be with me!
According to the above passage, the twelve apostles’ first calling was to be with Jesus. Jesus selected them to be with Him. In fact, they could never have carried out the second part of the calling – going out to preach and drive out demons – without devoting themselves to the first. There is a calling on your life, and it is significant and wonderful. And I know what it is – at least I know the most important part of it. It is to be with Jesus. From that place, He will also send you out into the world to spread His love and power and truth. But first things must be first.
Jesus reminded the twelve about this point on the night before His death:
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. -- John 15:4-5
I know what it’s like to be busy, and to feel like there is just not enough time for everything. I know what it’s like to struggle with the disciplines of the spiritual life. I know what it is to long for more sleep. I know what it is to feel guilty over not reading my Bible or spending time in prayer. Please understand, this is not meant to be another guilt trip. And yet, I am compelled to exhort you to fervently pursue Jesus. I need to remind you that you have to spend time with Him daily. I know we’re taught to avoid ‘shoulds’ and ‘oughts,’ because they tend towards legalism, guilt, and condemnation. However, remember that Jesus Himself taught his followers that “they should always pray and not give up” (Luke 18:1).
My friends, please hear what Jesus says. “Without me you can do nothing.” The work of the Boiler Room. The ministry of Owen Park Outreach. Going to other nations as missionaries. None of these activities can possibly produce any good fruit apart from Jesus. In fact, they will only spread death. Our primary responsibility is to stay connected to Him. To abide in Him. Our first calling is to be with Him. This is hard. This is beautiful. This is just the way it is.
But how do we do this? I am no expert, believe me. But I want to give you a few suggestions, and trust that as you cultivate a true hunger for relationship with Jesus, He will help you to work out the details.
1 Make time every day for God. I strongly suggest this be in the morning. It may be 15 minutes. It may be an hour. But start with something. Read a passage of scripture, and pray what is on your heart. Maybe just be quiet, but meditate on the Word or on the fact of Jesus’ presence with you.
2 Engage in the discipline of “practicing the presence of God.” By that I simply mean to acknowledge Him throughout the day. Shoot up one-line prayers. Tell Him what you think and feel. Ask for His perspective. Or simply just remind yourself that He is there. By the way, this is not a substitute for a daily quiet time, but a wonderful addition.
3 Give Jesus your burdens. This is related to number 2, but I wanted to emphasize it. Throughout the day as you feel stressed, or as you think of people for whom you are contending, practice giving them to the Lord. Pronounce your trust in Him to take care of the people and issues that touch your life. When you are fatigued, practice receiving strength from Him as you offer up the things that weigh you down.
4 Join your spiritual family in the prayer room for specific times of corporate prayer together. We have set aside every single day from 6-7 pm to pray together. Put it on your calendar to show up once or twice a week, and then follow through. Seriously. It is refreshing (except when it’s just tough, but even then it’s good).
I’ll stop with that. And end with this: I need this desperately, and I know it. But I am also growing in my awareness of how much I need it. Some days I pray for an hour, plus spend time in corporate prayer. Other days I pray for 15 minutes and beg God to let it be enough. Other days I don’t really pray at all (sorry if it pains you to hear this). But the more I do, and the longer I walk with Jesus, the more convinced I am that this needs to be a high priority.
Jesus is wonderful. Spending time with Him is the greatest privilege in life. It is also the single most important thing for those who want to be fruitful servants of the Gospel
The Boiler Room and Money(!)
January 26, 2012
As Tyler shared with us last Tuesday, we are growing up -- and this includes the way we relate to money. Our desire as the Tulsa Boiler Room is to use money that is given to us to help build God’s Kingdom. We want to be faithful and diligent stewards of all resources entrusted to us. Here are some of the values that shape the way we handle money:
1 Transparency. We want to be completely open in how we manage the money God entrusts to us. Anyone in the boiler room, or any supporter, should be able to have access to financial reports detailing the money we receive and how we use it. Also, we desire that everyone in the boiler room has a voice when it comes to financial matters, and we welcome input and questions.
2 Simplicity. As a church and outreach ministry, we desire to have simple structures and events, so that we do not spend a lot of money on maintaining the organization. As much as we can, we meet in homes and public places, so that we do not have to pay a lot of money for facilities.
3 Generosity. We desire that over half the money that we receive be used for missions, local outreach, and helping people in need.
4 Family. We want to help those in our spiritual family when they have material and financial needs. We also want to help as they pursue God given dreams.
So there you have it. Transparency. Simplicity. Generosity. Family. I like it.
1 Transparency. We want to be completely open in how we manage the money God entrusts to us. Anyone in the boiler room, or any supporter, should be able to have access to financial reports detailing the money we receive and how we use it. Also, we desire that everyone in the boiler room has a voice when it comes to financial matters, and we welcome input and questions.
2 Simplicity. As a church and outreach ministry, we desire to have simple structures and events, so that we do not spend a lot of money on maintaining the organization. As much as we can, we meet in homes and public places, so that we do not have to pay a lot of money for facilities.
3 Generosity. We desire that over half the money that we receive be used for missions, local outreach, and helping people in need.
4 Family. We want to help those in our spiritual family when they have material and financial needs. We also want to help as they pursue God given dreams.
So there you have it. Transparency. Simplicity. Generosity. Family. I like it.
Give
January 17, 2012
Money is one of those things that it can be tough to talk about in the church. Yet, as we all know, there is plenty in the Bible about it. I think it’s pretty obvious that God wants us to give money. Here is a link to a number of New Testament passages that attest to that fact: New Testament Giving. I really encourage you to take 5 or 10 minutes and read through these, and then ask the Lord to talk to you about your own life. With all that in mind, here are a few random thoughts on the subject of giving:
1 Does God want me to give? Heck yeah. Duh.
2 Why should I give? First of all, it should be clear that God does not need your money. I need your money, but God doesn’t :-). By all accounts, He’s pretty well off. Listen to what He told Israel:
9 I have no need of a bull from your stall
or of goats from your pens,
10 for every animal of the forest is mine,
and the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know every bird in the mountains,
and the insects in the fields are mine.
12 If I were hungry I would not tell you,
for the world is mine, and all that is in it. -- Psalm 50:9-12
So if God is not in financial difficulty, what’s the big deal about giving? Well, I’ll give you a few reasons, but there are probably more.
4 How much should I give? I don’t think there is a New Testament law about giving a tithe or any certain amount. So there is complete freedom to be lead by and obedient to the Holy Spirit. However, I will say that in discerning the Lord’s will, a tithe seems to be a good place to begin. Abraham gave a tithe to Melchizedek even before the law was given. Later, the Israelites were called on to give tithes in support of the Levitical priesthood. I would venture to suggest that God will challenge you more and more in your giving as you step out in active obedience to His will.
When it comes down to it, obedience to Jesus will always lead us to be a generous and a giving people. There is no law hanging over our head, saying that we have to give in order to be fully a part of His family. However, as members of His household, we do give.
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. – 2 Cor 9:7-8
1 Does God want me to give? Heck yeah. Duh.
2 Why should I give? First of all, it should be clear that God does not need your money. I need your money, but God doesn’t :-). By all accounts, He’s pretty well off. Listen to what He told Israel:
9 I have no need of a bull from your stall
or of goats from your pens,
10 for every animal of the forest is mine,
and the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know every bird in the mountains,
and the insects in the fields are mine.
12 If I were hungry I would not tell you,
for the world is mine, and all that is in it. -- Psalm 50:9-12
So if God is not in financial difficulty, what’s the big deal about giving? Well, I’ll give you a few reasons, but there are probably more.
- God told us to (gotta love that one)
- It is God’s nature to give, and we are becoming like Him. Remember, ‘God so loved the world that He gave His son’ (!).
- Giving money is a very concrete and necessary part of my surrender to Jesus, and a real life demonstration of my trust. When I give, it is often with the attitude of, “God, you know I really (really!) could use this money. But, I’m giving it because You are my provider, and I trust in You.” It is an intentional act of removing money from the throne of my heart, and giving Jesus His rightful place there. It is a reminder to myself that my security is not in money, but in God.
- Giving shows love to those in need (please read James 2:14-17 and 1 John 3:16-20). In fact, the Bible is quite clear that my alleged love for God is pretty suspect if I do not love people by giving to those in need (just for good measure, why not read Matthew 25:31-46 as well).
4 How much should I give? I don’t think there is a New Testament law about giving a tithe or any certain amount. So there is complete freedom to be lead by and obedient to the Holy Spirit. However, I will say that in discerning the Lord’s will, a tithe seems to be a good place to begin. Abraham gave a tithe to Melchizedek even before the law was given. Later, the Israelites were called on to give tithes in support of the Levitical priesthood. I would venture to suggest that God will challenge you more and more in your giving as you step out in active obedience to His will.
When it comes down to it, obedience to Jesus will always lead us to be a generous and a giving people. There is no law hanging over our head, saying that we have to give in order to be fully a part of His family. However, as members of His household, we do give.
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. – 2 Cor 9:7-8
| givingscriptures.pdf |
Let's Pray
October 21, 2011
This has been a busy season in my life and in the Boiler Room. Lots of good stuff is going on, and I am mostly excited about it all. However, I must say that deep inside I feel an unmet hunger and the stirrings of an oft-denied passion. I feel Jesus wooing me… inviting me… calling me to come and pray.
This is more than a please-let’s-fill-all-the-prayer-room-slots thing. Really, it is. I promise. I feel like I need this now. I feel like we need this now.
Like I said, there’s a lot going on in the Boiler Room. We are growing, and have been experiencing some wonderful times of going deeper in friendship. Things at Owen Park are popping, and I really believe lives are being changed. We’re seeing answers to prayer, and are also feeling God’s longing for redemption. There is the possibility of a discipleship house on the horizon. Emily Sengel is in Reynosa as I write this, staying on the land that was once going to be her home. Dreams are stirring, and God is at work. We will soon be needing to expand into another spud (or two!), as God continues to call people into spiritual family. People are expressing creativity in new and wondrous ways, and spiritual gifts are being stirred.
At the same time, this is a difficult season for many of our number. Some are tired, and are seeking balanced rhythms of life. Others are discouraged. Some are in really tough financial situations, and others are simply stressed. For some, it’s a dark time, and it’s tough to hang onto hope.
It’s a good time to pray. Our Father is calling us into His presence, where He will remind us that He loves us and that we are His and we can trust Him. He is calling us to join with Him in the fight for redemption, and for His work in the lives of those He loves. It’s a good time for us to lift one another up in His presence. It’s a good time to pray for His Kingdom to come in Tulsa and in Reynosa and Owen Park and in the nations and in our lives.
So let’s pray.
And, if you’re wondering, you can sign up for a prayer room slot here: http://www.24-7prayer.com/signup/d18bb2
This is more than a please-let’s-fill-all-the-prayer-room-slots thing. Really, it is. I promise. I feel like I need this now. I feel like we need this now.
Like I said, there’s a lot going on in the Boiler Room. We are growing, and have been experiencing some wonderful times of going deeper in friendship. Things at Owen Park are popping, and I really believe lives are being changed. We’re seeing answers to prayer, and are also feeling God’s longing for redemption. There is the possibility of a discipleship house on the horizon. Emily Sengel is in Reynosa as I write this, staying on the land that was once going to be her home. Dreams are stirring, and God is at work. We will soon be needing to expand into another spud (or two!), as God continues to call people into spiritual family. People are expressing creativity in new and wondrous ways, and spiritual gifts are being stirred.
At the same time, this is a difficult season for many of our number. Some are tired, and are seeking balanced rhythms of life. Others are discouraged. Some are in really tough financial situations, and others are simply stressed. For some, it’s a dark time, and it’s tough to hang onto hope.
It’s a good time to pray. Our Father is calling us into His presence, where He will remind us that He loves us and that we are His and we can trust Him. He is calling us to join with Him in the fight for redemption, and for His work in the lives of those He loves. It’s a good time for us to lift one another up in His presence. It’s a good time to pray for His Kingdom to come in Tulsa and in Reynosa and Owen Park and in the nations and in our lives.
So let’s pray.
And, if you’re wondering, you can sign up for a prayer room slot here: http://www.24-7prayer.com/signup/d18bb2
Apostolic Passion -- Part 3
September 1, 2011
This is the third and final article in a series, re-posted from Floyd McClung. In order to read more from him, go to http://floydandsally.com.
Last year I was separated from my wife for eight months. I saw her occasionally during that time, but it was for brief interludes and never alone. Sally was caring for my daughter Misha, who was suffering from a muscular disease called fibro-myalgia. We had agreed to try anything that had a remote promise of relief for Misha’s extreme pain, so Sally took Misha to medical clinics in Florida and California in search of medical help.
I really can’t complain about the long time of separation compared to what my daughter went through, but it had an effect on me. Especially the loneliness. I responded by staying busy - from early morning until late at night. I hated coming home to an empty house. This pattern of busyness continued when Sally returned. I stayed busy out of habit. I was hooked on the adrenaline of going, rushing, doing, being needed, and making decisions. Meanwhile, I was drying up inside. I hated the sense of spiritual emptiness it produced, and the superficial relationship I had with the Lord, but I subconsciously justified my condition because of my circumstances.
I learned one sure thing during this time: I could cruise along without spending much time with God. I could make do on grace. Later, I found out how bad things had gotten, but at the time I did not see it taking place. A subtle shift in my passions was going on. I wasn’t as deeply concerned about the lost, the great commission, studying the word, and pressing into God to discern His will on the important decisions I was making. The world outside my world seemed further away. I was less interested in loving people when they offended me, and I justified withdrawal from those who I couldn’t get along with. I found myself backing away from challenges that previously had been a tremendous source of spiritual motivation to me. I started thinking about dying more, but in the wrong way. I no longer welcomed the opportunity to lay down my life for Jesus.
In short, my passion for Jesus and the things he is passionate about was withering away. The fire was there but not as bright as it used to be. Deception was setting in. Things that I never accepted in my life until that time were now becoming acceptable. Tragically, I did not see it happening. Until it was almost too late, that is. After Sally and Misha were home for a few months, I decided I needed a few days away to take stock spiritually. It was during that time of spiritual inventory that I allowed God to speak to me. I asked Him to convict me of anything that was grieving Him, and He did so. I made a simple decision to start fasting again, something I had not done in a long time. I also renewed the discipline of journaling - carrying on a running dialogue with the Lord about the spiritual state of my heart as He saw it. Those two things alone turned me on my ear. literally.
During those times of crying out to God and listening to Him, He began to speak. He led me to focus on my passions, what excited me, what was most important to me, what got me turned on spiritually and emotionally. Out of the wasteland of spiritual dryness and passionless relationship with Jesus, I became desperate to share his heart. I cried out that he would not just renew me, but that he would reveal to me what He is passionate about. What does all this have to do with choosing your passions? Stick with me while I share another conclusion I came to while on my little retreat last year. I startled myself one morning when I heard myself say out-loud, “You can choose your passions, McClung. You don’t have to be a prisoner of your past choices or the value system of America.” You can choose your passions? Where did that thought come from, and what does it mean?
It has been a liberating thought, one that has given me the impetus to analyze my passions as best I can and make some radical choices about how I want to live and what I want to live for. At the heart of my relationship with God is a profound sense of freedom to choose. Not that I have the willpower to carry out my choices, or the motivation even to make them for the right reasons, but there is a deep sense of respect in how God treats me. I have experienced it like a divine courtship, a wooing of the Spirit to respond to the love of Jesus. More than freedom to choose is the awareness of just how different Jesus really is to everything around me. I made a list recently of the core values of Jesus. Then I made a list of the core values of my own culture, the American way of life I was raised to love, cherish and be willing to defend against any enemy who would dare to take it away from us.
I concluded that Jesus stood for servanthood, sacrifice, dying to rights, humility, purity, and immense goodness and righteousness. Over and against that is what is most important to Americans: life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, comfort, security, tolerance, personal rights, status, power, wealth and fun. There is more, but that is enough to make the comparison. In making this list I was stunned by how deeply my own self-interests and life experiences had shaped my passions and core values.
I was disappointed to conclude that I was more American than Christian in many of my core values! I was surprised by a statement Jesus made in Luke 24, in which he stated to the disciples, on two occasions actually, that he was going to summarize the whole of the law of Moses, the Psalms and the Prophets for them. His summary was breathtakingly short. In verses 44-47 he says,
“This is what I told you…everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms. Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. HE told them, ‘This is what is written: the Christ will suffer, and rise again on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness will be preached in his name to all nations…”
Not only is it very short, but incredibly simple. Jesus says that the whole of the Christian life is about two things really: his death and resurrection and making that known to all the nations of the earth. Is that what my life is all about? Is that the core value that gives impetus and meaning to all the other values that shape my life and passions?
I have decided to choose this to be the passion that is above all other passions, the core of the core. The reason for living the life of Christ. If that is the summary of the whole of the Bible I want it to be the summary of the whole of my life: Jesus and the world. But that is easier said than done. And that is why I have decided to consciously, deliberately, by his grace, feed those two core passions. I have decided to fast and meditate on them. I choose them every day. Regularly I ask the Lord to reveal anything that is undermining this focus. I have looked long and hard at all other competing passions and I have chosen to kill them off.
I read books about Jesus and the nations. I have recognized a need for a values conversion in my life. I am focused on becoming a man who lives to make God happy, not vice versa. I have taken a good look at American cultural values and have decided to hate them. Why? Because they are the good life values that eat away at the Christ life. They are passion robbers. They appeal to my flesh. They feed what is selfish and self-preserving in me. They are opposed to the cross life, the life of the disciple of Jesus.
I have taken a good look at Jesus and how he lived his life and decided that is the way for me. If I want something more than Jesus, then what is it? And if I want something less than Jesus, why is it? I have read and re-read the gospel and the book of Acts and decided to live like Jesus and the disciples. Pure and simple. Jesus is enough. I want to do church like they did it. Get rid of the complications and additions and excuses. Just do it like Jesus and like Paul.
Last year I was separated from my wife for eight months. I saw her occasionally during that time, but it was for brief interludes and never alone. Sally was caring for my daughter Misha, who was suffering from a muscular disease called fibro-myalgia. We had agreed to try anything that had a remote promise of relief for Misha’s extreme pain, so Sally took Misha to medical clinics in Florida and California in search of medical help.
I really can’t complain about the long time of separation compared to what my daughter went through, but it had an effect on me. Especially the loneliness. I responded by staying busy - from early morning until late at night. I hated coming home to an empty house. This pattern of busyness continued when Sally returned. I stayed busy out of habit. I was hooked on the adrenaline of going, rushing, doing, being needed, and making decisions. Meanwhile, I was drying up inside. I hated the sense of spiritual emptiness it produced, and the superficial relationship I had with the Lord, but I subconsciously justified my condition because of my circumstances.
I learned one sure thing during this time: I could cruise along without spending much time with God. I could make do on grace. Later, I found out how bad things had gotten, but at the time I did not see it taking place. A subtle shift in my passions was going on. I wasn’t as deeply concerned about the lost, the great commission, studying the word, and pressing into God to discern His will on the important decisions I was making. The world outside my world seemed further away. I was less interested in loving people when they offended me, and I justified withdrawal from those who I couldn’t get along with. I found myself backing away from challenges that previously had been a tremendous source of spiritual motivation to me. I started thinking about dying more, but in the wrong way. I no longer welcomed the opportunity to lay down my life for Jesus.
In short, my passion for Jesus and the things he is passionate about was withering away. The fire was there but not as bright as it used to be. Deception was setting in. Things that I never accepted in my life until that time were now becoming acceptable. Tragically, I did not see it happening. Until it was almost too late, that is. After Sally and Misha were home for a few months, I decided I needed a few days away to take stock spiritually. It was during that time of spiritual inventory that I allowed God to speak to me. I asked Him to convict me of anything that was grieving Him, and He did so. I made a simple decision to start fasting again, something I had not done in a long time. I also renewed the discipline of journaling - carrying on a running dialogue with the Lord about the spiritual state of my heart as He saw it. Those two things alone turned me on my ear. literally.
During those times of crying out to God and listening to Him, He began to speak. He led me to focus on my passions, what excited me, what was most important to me, what got me turned on spiritually and emotionally. Out of the wasteland of spiritual dryness and passionless relationship with Jesus, I became desperate to share his heart. I cried out that he would not just renew me, but that he would reveal to me what He is passionate about. What does all this have to do with choosing your passions? Stick with me while I share another conclusion I came to while on my little retreat last year. I startled myself one morning when I heard myself say out-loud, “You can choose your passions, McClung. You don’t have to be a prisoner of your past choices or the value system of America.” You can choose your passions? Where did that thought come from, and what does it mean?
It has been a liberating thought, one that has given me the impetus to analyze my passions as best I can and make some radical choices about how I want to live and what I want to live for. At the heart of my relationship with God is a profound sense of freedom to choose. Not that I have the willpower to carry out my choices, or the motivation even to make them for the right reasons, but there is a deep sense of respect in how God treats me. I have experienced it like a divine courtship, a wooing of the Spirit to respond to the love of Jesus. More than freedom to choose is the awareness of just how different Jesus really is to everything around me. I made a list recently of the core values of Jesus. Then I made a list of the core values of my own culture, the American way of life I was raised to love, cherish and be willing to defend against any enemy who would dare to take it away from us.
I concluded that Jesus stood for servanthood, sacrifice, dying to rights, humility, purity, and immense goodness and righteousness. Over and against that is what is most important to Americans: life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, comfort, security, tolerance, personal rights, status, power, wealth and fun. There is more, but that is enough to make the comparison. In making this list I was stunned by how deeply my own self-interests and life experiences had shaped my passions and core values.
I was disappointed to conclude that I was more American than Christian in many of my core values! I was surprised by a statement Jesus made in Luke 24, in which he stated to the disciples, on two occasions actually, that he was going to summarize the whole of the law of Moses, the Psalms and the Prophets for them. His summary was breathtakingly short. In verses 44-47 he says,
“This is what I told you…everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms. Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. HE told them, ‘This is what is written: the Christ will suffer, and rise again on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness will be preached in his name to all nations…”
Not only is it very short, but incredibly simple. Jesus says that the whole of the Christian life is about two things really: his death and resurrection and making that known to all the nations of the earth. Is that what my life is all about? Is that the core value that gives impetus and meaning to all the other values that shape my life and passions?
I have decided to choose this to be the passion that is above all other passions, the core of the core. The reason for living the life of Christ. If that is the summary of the whole of the Bible I want it to be the summary of the whole of my life: Jesus and the world. But that is easier said than done. And that is why I have decided to consciously, deliberately, by his grace, feed those two core passions. I have decided to fast and meditate on them. I choose them every day. Regularly I ask the Lord to reveal anything that is undermining this focus. I have looked long and hard at all other competing passions and I have chosen to kill them off.
I read books about Jesus and the nations. I have recognized a need for a values conversion in my life. I am focused on becoming a man who lives to make God happy, not vice versa. I have taken a good look at American cultural values and have decided to hate them. Why? Because they are the good life values that eat away at the Christ life. They are passion robbers. They appeal to my flesh. They feed what is selfish and self-preserving in me. They are opposed to the cross life, the life of the disciple of Jesus.
I have taken a good look at Jesus and how he lived his life and decided that is the way for me. If I want something more than Jesus, then what is it? And if I want something less than Jesus, why is it? I have read and re-read the gospel and the book of Acts and decided to live like Jesus and the disciples. Pure and simple. Jesus is enough. I want to do church like they did it. Get rid of the complications and additions and excuses. Just do it like Jesus and like Paul.
Apostolic Passion -- Part 2
August 24, 2011
This is the second article in a series, re-posted from Floyd McClung. In order to read more from him, go to http://floydandsally.com.
When God invests His own passion in you, the desire to see His name glorified among all people, you must build and develop what God has given you. Four things will help:
1. Apostolic Abandonment
Too many people want the fruit of Paul’s ministry without paying the price that Paul paid. He died. He died to everything. He died daily. He was crucified with Christ. This strong-willed, opinionated man knew that he must die to self. He knew that in his flesh, he couldn’t generate the revelation of Jesus; he couldn’t sustain the heart of Christ. So he died. He abandoned his life. He abandoned himself.
We live in a world of competing passions. If we do not die to self and fill our lives with the consuming passion of the worship of God in the nations, we will end up with other passions. It’s possible to deceive ourselves into thinking we have Biblical passions when, in reality, all we have done is to baptize the values of our culture and give them Christian names. We will have chosen apostolic passion only when our hearts are filled with God’s desire for His Son to be worshipped in the nations.
May I encourage you, dear friend, to give up your life? I challenge you to pray this prayer: “Lord, be ruthless with me in revealing my selfish ambition and my lack of willingness to die to myself.” I guarantee that He will answer your prayer, and quickly.
2. Apostolic Focus
The greatest enemy of the ambition to see Jesus worshiped in the nations is lack of focus. You can run around expending energy on all sorts of good ministries, and not get one step closer to the nations. I don’t have anything against all the projects and ministries out there. God’s people do them, and I don’t question their obedience to God. But the Church has an apostolic calling, an apostolic mission. God has called us to the nations. We must focus, or we won’t obey.
Focus on what? I believe God wants a people for Himself. Activity without a desire that God have a people for Himself is just activity not missions. You can have evangelism without missions. Short-term ministries are great, as long as they focus on raising up workers to plant churches. You might say, “I’m not called to plant churches.” Yes, you are! It’s always the will of God to have a people who worship His Son in the nations. You’ll never have to worry about making God mad if you try to plant a church. It seems crazy to me that people are under the delusion they need a special calling to save souls, to disciple them, and to get them together to love Jesus. Whatever ministry you are with, you must understand one thing: church planting is not for us, it’s for God. We do it so God will have a people to worship Him!
3. Apostolic Praying
A young man in Bible school offered to help David Wilkerson years ago when he was ministering on the streets of New York City. Wilkerson asked him how much time he spent in prayer. The young student estimated about 20 minutes a day. Wilkerson told him, “Go back, young man. Go back for a month and pray two hours a day, every day for 30 days. When you’ve done that, come back. Come back, and I might consider turning you loose on the streets where there is murder, rape, violence and danger. If I sent you out now on 20 minutes a day, I’d be sending a soldier into battle without any weapons, and you would get killed.”
You can get into heaven, my friend, without a lot of prayer. You can have a one-minute quiet time every day and God will still love you. But you won’t hear a “well done, good and faithful servant” on one-minute conversations with God. And you certainly can’t make it on that kind of prayer life in the hard places where Jesus is not known or worshipped. Here’s a challenge for you: Read everything Paul says about prayer, then ask yourself, “Am I willing to pray like that?”
Paul said that he prayed “night and day with tears without ceasing with thankfulness in the Spirit constantly boldly for godly sorrow against the evil one.”
4. Apostolic Decision-Making
If you live without a vision of the glory of God filling the whole earth, you are in danger of serving your own dreams of greatness, as you wait to do “the next thing” God tells you. There are too many over-fed, under-motivated Christians hiding behind the excuse that God has not spoken to them. They are waiting to hear voices or see dreams all the while living to make money, to provide for their future, to dress well and have fun.
The Apostle Paul was guided by his passions. Acts 20 and 21 tell of his determination to go to Jerusalem despite his own personal anticipation of suffering, the warnings of true prophets, and the intense disapproval of his friends. Why would Paul go against his own intuition, let alone the urgings of prophets and weeping entreaties of close friends? He had a revelation of greater priority, of greater motivation: the glory of God.
Apostolic decision-making starts with a passion for God’s glory in the nations, then asks: “Where shall I serve you?” Most people do the opposite. They ask the where-and-when questions without a revelation of His glory in the nations. Is it any wonder they never hear God say “go!” They have not cultivated a passion for the passions of God. All kinds of lesser desires can be holding them captive. They might never realize it.
Present your gifts, vocations and talents to the Lord. Press into God. Stay there until you long to go out in His name. Remain there and nurture the longing to see the earth bathed with His praise. Only then will you be able to trust your heart if you hear God say, “stay.” Only those who long to broadcast His glory to the nations have the right to stay.
If you have apostolic passion, you are one of the most dangerous people on the planet. The world no longer rules your heart. You are no longer seduced by getting and gaining, but devoted to spreading and proclaiming the glory of God in the nations. You live as a pilgrim, unattached to the cares of this world. You are not afraid of loss. You even dare to believe you may be given the privilege of dying to spread His fame on the earth. The Father’s passions have become your passions. You find your satisfaction and significance in Him. You believe He is with you always, to the end of life itself. You are sold out to God, and you live for the Lamb. Satan fears you, and the angels applaud you.
Your greatest dream is that His name will be praised in languages never before heard in heaven. Your reward is the look of pure delight you anticipate seeing in His eyes when you lay at His feet and the just reward of His suffering: the worship of the redeemed.
You have apostolic passion!
People who do not know the Lord ask why in the world we waste our lives as missionaries. They forget that they too are expending their lives... and when the bubble has burst they will have nothing of eternal significance to show for the years they have wasted.
— Nate Saint
When God invests His own passion in you, the desire to see His name glorified among all people, you must build and develop what God has given you. Four things will help:
1. Apostolic Abandonment
Too many people want the fruit of Paul’s ministry without paying the price that Paul paid. He died. He died to everything. He died daily. He was crucified with Christ. This strong-willed, opinionated man knew that he must die to self. He knew that in his flesh, he couldn’t generate the revelation of Jesus; he couldn’t sustain the heart of Christ. So he died. He abandoned his life. He abandoned himself.
We live in a world of competing passions. If we do not die to self and fill our lives with the consuming passion of the worship of God in the nations, we will end up with other passions. It’s possible to deceive ourselves into thinking we have Biblical passions when, in reality, all we have done is to baptize the values of our culture and give them Christian names. We will have chosen apostolic passion only when our hearts are filled with God’s desire for His Son to be worshipped in the nations.
May I encourage you, dear friend, to give up your life? I challenge you to pray this prayer: “Lord, be ruthless with me in revealing my selfish ambition and my lack of willingness to die to myself.” I guarantee that He will answer your prayer, and quickly.
2. Apostolic Focus
The greatest enemy of the ambition to see Jesus worshiped in the nations is lack of focus. You can run around expending energy on all sorts of good ministries, and not get one step closer to the nations. I don’t have anything against all the projects and ministries out there. God’s people do them, and I don’t question their obedience to God. But the Church has an apostolic calling, an apostolic mission. God has called us to the nations. We must focus, or we won’t obey.
Focus on what? I believe God wants a people for Himself. Activity without a desire that God have a people for Himself is just activity not missions. You can have evangelism without missions. Short-term ministries are great, as long as they focus on raising up workers to plant churches. You might say, “I’m not called to plant churches.” Yes, you are! It’s always the will of God to have a people who worship His Son in the nations. You’ll never have to worry about making God mad if you try to plant a church. It seems crazy to me that people are under the delusion they need a special calling to save souls, to disciple them, and to get them together to love Jesus. Whatever ministry you are with, you must understand one thing: church planting is not for us, it’s for God. We do it so God will have a people to worship Him!
3. Apostolic Praying
A young man in Bible school offered to help David Wilkerson years ago when he was ministering on the streets of New York City. Wilkerson asked him how much time he spent in prayer. The young student estimated about 20 minutes a day. Wilkerson told him, “Go back, young man. Go back for a month and pray two hours a day, every day for 30 days. When you’ve done that, come back. Come back, and I might consider turning you loose on the streets where there is murder, rape, violence and danger. If I sent you out now on 20 minutes a day, I’d be sending a soldier into battle without any weapons, and you would get killed.”
You can get into heaven, my friend, without a lot of prayer. You can have a one-minute quiet time every day and God will still love you. But you won’t hear a “well done, good and faithful servant” on one-minute conversations with God. And you certainly can’t make it on that kind of prayer life in the hard places where Jesus is not known or worshipped. Here’s a challenge for you: Read everything Paul says about prayer, then ask yourself, “Am I willing to pray like that?”
Paul said that he prayed “night and day with tears without ceasing with thankfulness in the Spirit constantly boldly for godly sorrow against the evil one.”
4. Apostolic Decision-Making
If you live without a vision of the glory of God filling the whole earth, you are in danger of serving your own dreams of greatness, as you wait to do “the next thing” God tells you. There are too many over-fed, under-motivated Christians hiding behind the excuse that God has not spoken to them. They are waiting to hear voices or see dreams all the while living to make money, to provide for their future, to dress well and have fun.
The Apostle Paul was guided by his passions. Acts 20 and 21 tell of his determination to go to Jerusalem despite his own personal anticipation of suffering, the warnings of true prophets, and the intense disapproval of his friends. Why would Paul go against his own intuition, let alone the urgings of prophets and weeping entreaties of close friends? He had a revelation of greater priority, of greater motivation: the glory of God.
Apostolic decision-making starts with a passion for God’s glory in the nations, then asks: “Where shall I serve you?” Most people do the opposite. They ask the where-and-when questions without a revelation of His glory in the nations. Is it any wonder they never hear God say “go!” They have not cultivated a passion for the passions of God. All kinds of lesser desires can be holding them captive. They might never realize it.
Present your gifts, vocations and talents to the Lord. Press into God. Stay there until you long to go out in His name. Remain there and nurture the longing to see the earth bathed with His praise. Only then will you be able to trust your heart if you hear God say, “stay.” Only those who long to broadcast His glory to the nations have the right to stay.
If you have apostolic passion, you are one of the most dangerous people on the planet. The world no longer rules your heart. You are no longer seduced by getting and gaining, but devoted to spreading and proclaiming the glory of God in the nations. You live as a pilgrim, unattached to the cares of this world. You are not afraid of loss. You even dare to believe you may be given the privilege of dying to spread His fame on the earth. The Father’s passions have become your passions. You find your satisfaction and significance in Him. You believe He is with you always, to the end of life itself. You are sold out to God, and you live for the Lamb. Satan fears you, and the angels applaud you.
Your greatest dream is that His name will be praised in languages never before heard in heaven. Your reward is the look of pure delight you anticipate seeing in His eyes when you lay at His feet and the just reward of His suffering: the worship of the redeemed.
You have apostolic passion!
People who do not know the Lord ask why in the world we waste our lives as missionaries. They forget that they too are expending their lives... and when the bubble has burst they will have nothing of eternal significance to show for the years they have wasted.
— Nate Saint
Apostolic Passion
August 18, 2011
This article is re-posted from Floyd McClung. In order to read more from him, go to http://floydandsally.com.
What is Apostolic Passion?
The term “passion” is used to describe everything from romance to hunger pangs. I don’t know what it means to you, but for me passion means whatever a person is willing to suffer for. In fact, that’s the root meaning of the word. It comes from the Latin paserre, to suffer. It is what you hunger for so intensely that you will sacrifice anything to have it. The word “apostle” means a sent one, a messenger. “Apostolic Passion,” therefore, is a deliberate, intentional choice to live for the worship of Jesus in the nations. It has to do with being committed to the point of death to spreading His glory. It’s the quality of those who are on fire for Jesus, who dream of the whole earth being covered with the Glory of the Lord.
I know when apostolic passion has died in my heart. It happens when I don’t spend my quiet time dreaming of the time when Jesus will be worshipped in languages that aren’t yet heard in heaven. I know it’s missing from my life when I sing about heaven, but live as if earth is my home. Apostolic passion is dead in my heart when I dream more about sports, toys, places to go and people to see, than I do about the nations worshiping Jesus.
I have lost it, too, when I make decisions based on the danger involved, not the glory God will get. Those who have apostolic passion are planning to go, but willing to stay. You know you have it when you are deeply disappointed that God has not called you to leave your home and get out among those who have never heard His name. If you will not suffer and sacrifice for something, you are not passionate about it. If you say you will do anything for Jesus, but you don’t suffer for Him then you aren’t really passionate about Him and His purposes on earth.
If you don’t have it, how do you go about getting this thing called apostolic passion? Is it like ordering pizza at the door in 30 minutes or less, guaranteed? Is there an 800 number to call? Or better yet, just send us your special gift of $15 or more, and we’ll rush you some passion, express delivery, overnight mail. If you’re like me, you need help figuring out how to grow this thing called passion. I am motivated by reading how the apostle Paul got it. He chose it.
Paul says in Romans 15 that it is his ambition, his passion, if you will, to make Christ known. It began for him with a revelation of Jesus that he nurtured all his adult life. Paul not only encountered Christ on the road to Damascus, he kept on meeting Jesus every day. This revelation of Jesus, and his study of God’s purposes, gave birth to Paul’s apostolic passion. Knowing Jesus and making Him known consumed the rest of Paul’s life. He “gloried in Christ Jesus in his service to God” (Rom 15:17). By comparison, everything else was dung, garbage, stinking refuse. Paul’s ambition was born from his understanding that God longed for His Son to be glorified in the nations. It was focused so that the “Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit”(Rom 15:16).
Human enthusiasm cannot sustain apostolic passion. When God invests His own passion in you, the desire to see His name glorified among all people, you must build and develop what God has given you.
If I had 300 men who feared nothing but God, hated nothing but sin, and were determined to know nothing among men but Jesus Christ and him crucified. i would set the world on fire.
— John Wesley
What is Apostolic Passion?
The term “passion” is used to describe everything from romance to hunger pangs. I don’t know what it means to you, but for me passion means whatever a person is willing to suffer for. In fact, that’s the root meaning of the word. It comes from the Latin paserre, to suffer. It is what you hunger for so intensely that you will sacrifice anything to have it. The word “apostle” means a sent one, a messenger. “Apostolic Passion,” therefore, is a deliberate, intentional choice to live for the worship of Jesus in the nations. It has to do with being committed to the point of death to spreading His glory. It’s the quality of those who are on fire for Jesus, who dream of the whole earth being covered with the Glory of the Lord.
I know when apostolic passion has died in my heart. It happens when I don’t spend my quiet time dreaming of the time when Jesus will be worshipped in languages that aren’t yet heard in heaven. I know it’s missing from my life when I sing about heaven, but live as if earth is my home. Apostolic passion is dead in my heart when I dream more about sports, toys, places to go and people to see, than I do about the nations worshiping Jesus.
I have lost it, too, when I make decisions based on the danger involved, not the glory God will get. Those who have apostolic passion are planning to go, but willing to stay. You know you have it when you are deeply disappointed that God has not called you to leave your home and get out among those who have never heard His name. If you will not suffer and sacrifice for something, you are not passionate about it. If you say you will do anything for Jesus, but you don’t suffer for Him then you aren’t really passionate about Him and His purposes on earth.
If you don’t have it, how do you go about getting this thing called apostolic passion? Is it like ordering pizza at the door in 30 minutes or less, guaranteed? Is there an 800 number to call? Or better yet, just send us your special gift of $15 or more, and we’ll rush you some passion, express delivery, overnight mail. If you’re like me, you need help figuring out how to grow this thing called passion. I am motivated by reading how the apostle Paul got it. He chose it.
Paul says in Romans 15 that it is his ambition, his passion, if you will, to make Christ known. It began for him with a revelation of Jesus that he nurtured all his adult life. Paul not only encountered Christ on the road to Damascus, he kept on meeting Jesus every day. This revelation of Jesus, and his study of God’s purposes, gave birth to Paul’s apostolic passion. Knowing Jesus and making Him known consumed the rest of Paul’s life. He “gloried in Christ Jesus in his service to God” (Rom 15:17). By comparison, everything else was dung, garbage, stinking refuse. Paul’s ambition was born from his understanding that God longed for His Son to be glorified in the nations. It was focused so that the “Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit”(Rom 15:16).
Human enthusiasm cannot sustain apostolic passion. When God invests His own passion in you, the desire to see His name glorified among all people, you must build and develop what God has given you.
If I had 300 men who feared nothing but God, hated nothing but sin, and were determined to know nothing among men but Jesus Christ and him crucified. i would set the world on fire.
— John Wesley
Desire
August 17, 2011
So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. -- Matt 6:31-33
Last night I was listening to a Keith Green song, and I wept as I heard him sing these simple words: "Oh Lord, You're beautiful; your face is all I seek." Your face is all I seek!! I am being confronted with the frightening truth that our hunger for Jesus and His Kingdom has some serious competition. We desire many things. Comfort. Entertainment. Safety. Friendship. Sleep. Food. Good coffee. Privacy. Respect.
"For the pagans run after all these things." Why is there such lack of power in our witness? Why no raging fire in our holiness? Such meager fruit in our service? Why such little true intimacy in our relationship with Jesus?
"Seek first the Kingdom of God." I am convicted that my desire is simply too weak. Or perhaps too diverted. I desire many things. Jesus told Martha that only one thing is needed (Lk 10:42). One of the things that I love about my friends and brothers in Uganda is that their entire lives tend to revolve so much more simply around Jesus and His mission. Perhaps it is because there are fewer distractions. Or perhaps it is because they take His words more seriously.
All I know is this: I want to know Him. I want to bear fruit for His glory (Jn 15). I want to turn my eyes away from the many things that do not matter -- the mere shadows -- and look more intently on what is real and true. Jesus.
Oh God, increase my desire for you!
Last night I was listening to a Keith Green song, and I wept as I heard him sing these simple words: "Oh Lord, You're beautiful; your face is all I seek." Your face is all I seek!! I am being confronted with the frightening truth that our hunger for Jesus and His Kingdom has some serious competition. We desire many things. Comfort. Entertainment. Safety. Friendship. Sleep. Food. Good coffee. Privacy. Respect.
"For the pagans run after all these things." Why is there such lack of power in our witness? Why no raging fire in our holiness? Such meager fruit in our service? Why such little true intimacy in our relationship with Jesus?
"Seek first the Kingdom of God." I am convicted that my desire is simply too weak. Or perhaps too diverted. I desire many things. Jesus told Martha that only one thing is needed (Lk 10:42). One of the things that I love about my friends and brothers in Uganda is that their entire lives tend to revolve so much more simply around Jesus and His mission. Perhaps it is because there are fewer distractions. Or perhaps it is because they take His words more seriously.
All I know is this: I want to know Him. I want to bear fruit for His glory (Jn 15). I want to turn my eyes away from the many things that do not matter -- the mere shadows -- and look more intently on what is real and true. Jesus.
Oh God, increase my desire for you!
Growth
May 21, 2011
Abel and I have decided to read CELEBRATION OF DISCIPLINE by Richard Foster over the summer. This morning I read this:
"The history of religion is the story of an almost desperate scramble to have a king, a mediator, a priest, a pastor, a go-between. In this way we do not need to go to God ourselves. Such an approach saves us from the need to change, for to be in the presence of God is to change." (pg 24)
This stirs me to remember that as the boiler room we want to be conduits of God's love for one another, but that we each have to take primary responsibility for our own spiritual growth. In one sense, this is easy. We happily are very aware of how profoundly we suck at fixing each other. On the other hand, it leads me to a couple of conclusions:
1. We need to have TONS of grace for one another. Really. Not just, "I'm going to decide to be nice and try to overlook offenses" But seriously seeking out God's grace for others.
2. We need to actively put ourselves in positions to receive God's grace for forgiveness and growth in our own lives.
A week or so ago I was having a conversation with Michael. He told me how, through his own experiences, he has become convinced that if he is not actively growing in his walk with Christ, he is not standing still. He inevitably begins to slip backwards. I find this to be frighteningly true in my own life as well, and I'm guessing it's pretty universal.
So all that to simply say that I urge you to have a plan for actively pursuing your spiritual walk this summer. This really should include individual disciplines such as prayer, Bible stuff, fasting, etc, as well as the corporate stuff of getting together with your spiritual family. I'm also encouraging you to be involved in a regular d-group -- reading the Bible, confessing sins, and praying for the lost.
http://tulsaboilerroom.com/d-groups/
"The history of religion is the story of an almost desperate scramble to have a king, a mediator, a priest, a pastor, a go-between. In this way we do not need to go to God ourselves. Such an approach saves us from the need to change, for to be in the presence of God is to change." (pg 24)
This stirs me to remember that as the boiler room we want to be conduits of God's love for one another, but that we each have to take primary responsibility for our own spiritual growth. In one sense, this is easy. We happily are very aware of how profoundly we suck at fixing each other. On the other hand, it leads me to a couple of conclusions:
1. We need to have TONS of grace for one another. Really. Not just, "I'm going to decide to be nice and try to overlook offenses" But seriously seeking out God's grace for others.
2. We need to actively put ourselves in positions to receive God's grace for forgiveness and growth in our own lives.
A week or so ago I was having a conversation with Michael. He told me how, through his own experiences, he has become convinced that if he is not actively growing in his walk with Christ, he is not standing still. He inevitably begins to slip backwards. I find this to be frighteningly true in my own life as well, and I'm guessing it's pretty universal.
So all that to simply say that I urge you to have a plan for actively pursuing your spiritual walk this summer. This really should include individual disciplines such as prayer, Bible stuff, fasting, etc, as well as the corporate stuff of getting together with your spiritual family. I'm also encouraging you to be involved in a regular d-group -- reading the Bible, confessing sins, and praying for the lost.
http://tulsaboilerroom.com/d-groups/
Kampala!
May 1, 2011
Riots in Kampala! Opposition leader brutally arrested! Security forces patrolling the streets! Protestors violently suppressed! With the events of the past months in nations like Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Syria, and others, such news doesn’t even faze us. But… this is Kampala! And suddenly, for me, it’s all personal.I had my first experience of Kampala, Uganda’s hectic and vibrant capital city, in 1989. Though I was in a haze of exhaustion and adrenaline, the images of that first day are ones that will probably always stay with me. At that time, Yoweri Museveni was an idealistic revolutionary, still consolidating power after a successful coup brought him the presidency three years before. He was wildly popular. Hope, long dead, had sprung to life in many hearts – hope in a new type of leader; a new way of governing that would bring freedom and dignity to a people long oppressed. And now, some two decades later, thousands of angry Ugandans are protesting his regime in the face of another revolution gone awry.
I know it’s one more place to add to an ever-increasing list of those desperate for prayer – but please pray for Uganda.
My last visit was almost two years ago. I wrote this on my first morning back in the land that our family called home for nine years:
This morning jet lag had me awake at 4:00. When I was still wide awake at 5:00, I decided to get up and face the day. I walked outside and settled myself into a plastic chair on the verandah of the guest house where we are staying on Namirembe Hill — the ‘hill of peace.’ Sitting there overlooking Kampala, I reveled in the peaceful moment.
Kampala is a city of intense life. To me, everything is exaggerated — the joy is exuberant; the fear menacing and physical; the despair debilitating, but the hope relentless; the darkness and corruption and evil overwhelming; the light and goodness and love powerful. Oh Kampala.
Sitting in my chair, I enjoyed listening to the once familiar sounds of the city awakening. Traffic beginning to fill the streets — heavy trucks and impatient taxis already looking for passengers. Dogs barking. Roosters crowing. The mournful sound of the call to prayer coming from the mosque. The competing shouts and loud music of a Pentecostal church concluding the all-night prayer service. A baby crying. Oh Kampala!
A city of such contrasts! Filth and brutality side-by-side with beauty and compassion. Death struggling against life. Corruption and courage. Dark and light. I do love this city, and I found myself again praying for the Father to gather all His children and lost ones in the embrace of His love.
Oh Kampala!
Indeed. Please pray for Kampala. Pray for the light of Jesus to shine brightly here. Pray for peace. And justice. And lots of grace. Thank you.
For more on the recent riots, check here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13246913
Wrath
April 26, 2011
As I sit here contemplating how to write about God’s wrath and judgment, I tremble at the weight of these matters. I do not like this subject, but am compelled to speak of it, as were Jesus and the apostles.
A popular view among many people today could be summed up in this way: “Could a loving God eternally condemn people to Hell?” This is a heavy question, and one that must be faced. Our natural tendency is to trust our own emotions and reason as we deal with this. In this way, many people come to the conclusion, “Of course not. God would never do that.” However, what we know of God comes not from our own subjective responses, but from the revelation of Himself in the Scriptures. The question, then, is what does the Bible say? Well, actually, it says a lot.
Jesus Himself spoke often about Hell or judgment. The following passages are only a few of many in which he gives solemn warnings:
If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into Hell -- Matt 5:29
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles? Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” -- Matt 7:22-23
This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. – Matt 13:49-50
Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels…” Matt 25:41
Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and not be able to…” -- Lk 13:22-24
The apostles also continued in the same manner:
This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power… 2 Thess 1:7-9
First of all, you must understand that in the last day scoffers will come, scoffing and following their evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. -- 2 Peter 3:3-7
And finally, as part of the revelation given to John:
Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death. If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. -- Rev 20:11-15
This is just a small sample of the passages in the Bible that speak of punishment, fire, destruction, and judgment. It is enough to make us stop and consider this issue very closely before allowing ourselves the luxury of forming our own opinions, based on what we think God would or should do. For further biblical references, download this link: God's Judgment Scriptures
Many today would like to believe in the idea of universal salvation, or “universalism.” In this scenario, God will continue calling people to Himself, even after death, for as long as it takes. Eventually everyone will be saved. I am convinced that the Bible does not teach this. I recognize that some of you may disagree with me, and that is ok. However, I do urge you to consider this matter closely before being convinced of something because it is more comfortable, or fits better with your idea of how things should be. There are serious consequences for what we believe regarding this. Because of the gravity of these matters, I put before you four reasons why I believe the idea of universal salvation is a dangerous one for us to promote:
1. First and foremost, the Scriptures give many warnings concerning judgment in the next life. We do well to heed these. Universalism, on the other hand, tells us that what we feel about God, or reason about God, has more weight than the Scriptures in determining the nature of God. Thus, we begin to worship a god that we have created based on how we think he should be, rather than accepting what he has revealed about himself. This very subjective way of doing theology opens us up to many false ideas about God. Some of us are embarrassed by God, and we think it would be easier to talk about Him with nonbelievers if he were just a little… different. A little softer. A little more comfortable. A nicer, cuddlier deity.
True theology relies on the Bible as the primary source. We cannot depend on philosophy or science or reason or emotion or our favorite teacher or scholar. We do not deny the usefulness of the above, but we must insist on the Bible as the ultimate source of knowledge about God. Without rigorously keeping this standard, we could end up worshiping a god who…
.....will fulfill all our fleshly desires and allow no harm if we just have faith, or
..........wants us to destroy our enemies in a great military crusade, or
...............is harsh and mean and a lover of rules and a killer of all fun, or
....................is an active tea party enthusiast, or
.........................is too kind and docile to judge sinners
People convince themselves of all manner of things about God, based on what they themselves have experienced or believe or want. God has given us a precious gift in His self-revelation through the Scriptures. It is foolish to ignore this gift.
2. The doctrine of universal salvation gives false comfort to those in this life who have not surrendered to Jesus. As seen in the above scriptures, the Bible is filled with warnings about punishment in the next life. These very serious parts of the Bible certainly convince me that eternal punishment is a real thing. In light of this, is it actually loving to broadcast to the world that they will eventually be saved, regardless of how they respond to Jesus in this life? Is it more loving to warn people of the danger ahead, or to comfort them with dubious assurances that all will be fine? This, to me, is irresponsible at best. It may feel loving and enlightened, but what if you are wrong?
3. The idea that all will be saved also undercuts the urgency of believers to share the Gospel with the lost. Hudson Taylor’s heart was moved to give his life for China and call others to do the same by the thought that “every day tens of thousands in that land were passing into Christless graves!"He also famously prayed, “Would that God would make hell so real to us that we cannot rest; Heaven so real that we must have men there.”Thousands of missionaries have taken the Gospel throughout the nations, burning with similar passion and motivation. If the church comes to believe in the idea of universal salvation, one great motivator for mission will be thwarted. Again, if there truly is eternal punishment reserved for those who do not know God, should we not be motivated to give our lives in the proclamation of the Gospel?
4. Finally, the idea that there is no eternal punishment for sins fails to take seriously the justice of God, and it lessens the weight of our own sin and rebellion against him. People refuse to accept the biblical warnings against Hell because, when it comes down to it, they do not believe they deserve such treatment. We have lost sight of the incredible weight of our sin against God. If you are inclined to feel this way, I strongly suggest you read Romans 1-3.
I confess there is much I do not know or understand about judgment and things related to the next life. I am convinced of this, however: The scandal of the Christian faith is not, nor ever has been, the idea of Hell. The scandal is heaven. That many will be condemned is not shocking. That any will be given salvation is outrageous. That people will reap the bitter fruit of our rebellion and idolatry is expected. That some will be welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven, and told ‘well done, good and faithful servant’ is the most outlandish of the Christian claims.
“Could a loving God condemn people eternally to Hell?” What about this: “Could a just God welcome people eternally to heaven?” We understand justice. When we are wronged, “An eye for an eye…” feels right. Grace goes against the grain. We’ve got this whole thing backwards. We deserve Hell. To be given hope for heaven is shocking. The Gospel truly is good news. We can all – any who choose to put their faith in Jesus – live forever as sons and daughters of God. This is not fair. Thanks be to God.
A popular view among many people today could be summed up in this way: “Could a loving God eternally condemn people to Hell?” This is a heavy question, and one that must be faced. Our natural tendency is to trust our own emotions and reason as we deal with this. In this way, many people come to the conclusion, “Of course not. God would never do that.” However, what we know of God comes not from our own subjective responses, but from the revelation of Himself in the Scriptures. The question, then, is what does the Bible say? Well, actually, it says a lot.
Jesus Himself spoke often about Hell or judgment. The following passages are only a few of many in which he gives solemn warnings:
If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into Hell -- Matt 5:29
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles? Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” -- Matt 7:22-23
This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. – Matt 13:49-50
Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels…” Matt 25:41
Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and not be able to…” -- Lk 13:22-24
The apostles also continued in the same manner:
This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power… 2 Thess 1:7-9
First of all, you must understand that in the last day scoffers will come, scoffing and following their evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. -- 2 Peter 3:3-7
And finally, as part of the revelation given to John:
Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death. If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. -- Rev 20:11-15
This is just a small sample of the passages in the Bible that speak of punishment, fire, destruction, and judgment. It is enough to make us stop and consider this issue very closely before allowing ourselves the luxury of forming our own opinions, based on what we think God would or should do. For further biblical references, download this link: God's Judgment Scriptures
Many today would like to believe in the idea of universal salvation, or “universalism.” In this scenario, God will continue calling people to Himself, even after death, for as long as it takes. Eventually everyone will be saved. I am convinced that the Bible does not teach this. I recognize that some of you may disagree with me, and that is ok. However, I do urge you to consider this matter closely before being convinced of something because it is more comfortable, or fits better with your idea of how things should be. There are serious consequences for what we believe regarding this. Because of the gravity of these matters, I put before you four reasons why I believe the idea of universal salvation is a dangerous one for us to promote:
1. First and foremost, the Scriptures give many warnings concerning judgment in the next life. We do well to heed these. Universalism, on the other hand, tells us that what we feel about God, or reason about God, has more weight than the Scriptures in determining the nature of God. Thus, we begin to worship a god that we have created based on how we think he should be, rather than accepting what he has revealed about himself. This very subjective way of doing theology opens us up to many false ideas about God. Some of us are embarrassed by God, and we think it would be easier to talk about Him with nonbelievers if he were just a little… different. A little softer. A little more comfortable. A nicer, cuddlier deity.
True theology relies on the Bible as the primary source. We cannot depend on philosophy or science or reason or emotion or our favorite teacher or scholar. We do not deny the usefulness of the above, but we must insist on the Bible as the ultimate source of knowledge about God. Without rigorously keeping this standard, we could end up worshiping a god who…
.....will fulfill all our fleshly desires and allow no harm if we just have faith, or
..........wants us to destroy our enemies in a great military crusade, or
...............is harsh and mean and a lover of rules and a killer of all fun, or
....................is an active tea party enthusiast, or
.........................is too kind and docile to judge sinners
People convince themselves of all manner of things about God, based on what they themselves have experienced or believe or want. God has given us a precious gift in His self-revelation through the Scriptures. It is foolish to ignore this gift.
2. The doctrine of universal salvation gives false comfort to those in this life who have not surrendered to Jesus. As seen in the above scriptures, the Bible is filled with warnings about punishment in the next life. These very serious parts of the Bible certainly convince me that eternal punishment is a real thing. In light of this, is it actually loving to broadcast to the world that they will eventually be saved, regardless of how they respond to Jesus in this life? Is it more loving to warn people of the danger ahead, or to comfort them with dubious assurances that all will be fine? This, to me, is irresponsible at best. It may feel loving and enlightened, but what if you are wrong?
3. The idea that all will be saved also undercuts the urgency of believers to share the Gospel with the lost. Hudson Taylor’s heart was moved to give his life for China and call others to do the same by the thought that “every day tens of thousands in that land were passing into Christless graves!"He also famously prayed, “Would that God would make hell so real to us that we cannot rest; Heaven so real that we must have men there.”Thousands of missionaries have taken the Gospel throughout the nations, burning with similar passion and motivation. If the church comes to believe in the idea of universal salvation, one great motivator for mission will be thwarted. Again, if there truly is eternal punishment reserved for those who do not know God, should we not be motivated to give our lives in the proclamation of the Gospel?
4. Finally, the idea that there is no eternal punishment for sins fails to take seriously the justice of God, and it lessens the weight of our own sin and rebellion against him. People refuse to accept the biblical warnings against Hell because, when it comes down to it, they do not believe they deserve such treatment. We have lost sight of the incredible weight of our sin against God. If you are inclined to feel this way, I strongly suggest you read Romans 1-3.
I confess there is much I do not know or understand about judgment and things related to the next life. I am convinced of this, however: The scandal of the Christian faith is not, nor ever has been, the idea of Hell. The scandal is heaven. That many will be condemned is not shocking. That any will be given salvation is outrageous. That people will reap the bitter fruit of our rebellion and idolatry is expected. That some will be welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven, and told ‘well done, good and faithful servant’ is the most outlandish of the Christian claims.
“Could a loving God condemn people eternally to Hell?” What about this: “Could a just God welcome people eternally to heaven?” We understand justice. When we are wronged, “An eye for an eye…” feels right. Grace goes against the grain. We’ve got this whole thing backwards. We deserve Hell. To be given hope for heaven is shocking. The Gospel truly is good news. We can all – any who choose to put their faith in Jesus – live forever as sons and daughters of God. This is not fair. Thanks be to God.
More Spuds
February 9, 2011
I wanted to give you a little more information about the upcoming transition to "spuds" -- becoming a network of simple churches. Please know that I would still love to hear your feedback, and know how you are feeling about all this.
As mentioned before, we are going to be moving into having two separate spud meetings on Friday evenings. We will all come together still for the monthly worship night, on the first Friday of each month. The schedule for this transition period is as follows:
Fri, Feb 4: Monthly all-worship night at the Harvest
Tue, Feb 8: Meal together and teaching -- kicking off Sermon on the Mt series. Info on location coming soon...
Fri, Feb 11: Meeting together at Harvest for the last time
Tue, Feb 15: Meal and continue teaching on Sermon on Mt
FRI, FEB 18: FIRST SPUD MEETINGS: DO NOT COME TO HARVEST
"But what spud do I go to??" I'm so glad you asked. I'd like you to be praying about this over the next couple weeks. If the decision takes you longer than that, no problem. You can even visit both as you are making up your mind if you like. We will be praying with you. Ultimately, I trust the Holy Spirit to lead you, whether you feel He is or not. Here's a quick description of the two groups:
DOWNTOWN SPUD
Meeting at man flat (1314 S Denver, # 5)
Leaders: Jesse, Karissa, Seth
Missional emphasis -- downtown, poor, homeless. This will be a fantastic opportunity to go deeper in discipleship relationships with people who are seeking Jesus. It will also be a great chance to team up with the Thurs night bbq crew and enter into ministry and building family among the poor.
MID-TOWN SPUD
Meeting: TBD
Leaders: Tyler, Emily Sengel, Tim
Missional emphasis -- Brookside prayer AND planting communities in distant places (Boston, Reynosa, etc). We will spend time praying into God's work on Brookside, as well as in the nations -- and will actively seek to be part of both.
A few other general thoughts / reminders:
1. We very much encourage you to jump into one of these with both feet. Spuds will be the place where you experience the life of church / spiritual family. There will be prayer, worship, Bible discussions, and friendship... discipleship, outreach, sharing dreams, meeting one another's needs, and encouraging each other in Christ.
2. We are still one big family. We will have the chance to be together each Tuesday, and also on monthly worship nights, as well as Thursdays at the park and prayer times. Also, there can be overlap regarding missional vision. You can take part in Owen Park if you are part of the midtown spud, and you can be part of downtown even though you plan to be a missionary to the nations.
3. This is primarily about 2 things: 1) Going deeper as spiritual family; and (even bigger) 2) Going wider as family: inviting others in. My prayer is that the fruit of this will be people who do not know Jesus beginning to walk with Him, growing in discipleship, and belonging to spiritual family. Can you pray for that with me? And can we together find things we can do to help make it happen, by God's power?
As mentioned before, we are going to be moving into having two separate spud meetings on Friday evenings. We will all come together still for the monthly worship night, on the first Friday of each month. The schedule for this transition period is as follows:
Fri, Feb 4: Monthly all-worship night at the Harvest
Tue, Feb 8: Meal together and teaching -- kicking off Sermon on the Mt series. Info on location coming soon...
Fri, Feb 11: Meeting together at Harvest for the last time
Tue, Feb 15: Meal and continue teaching on Sermon on Mt
FRI, FEB 18: FIRST SPUD MEETINGS: DO NOT COME TO HARVEST
"But what spud do I go to??" I'm so glad you asked. I'd like you to be praying about this over the next couple weeks. If the decision takes you longer than that, no problem. You can even visit both as you are making up your mind if you like. We will be praying with you. Ultimately, I trust the Holy Spirit to lead you, whether you feel He is or not. Here's a quick description of the two groups:
DOWNTOWN SPUD
Meeting at man flat (1314 S Denver, # 5)
Leaders: Jesse, Karissa, Seth
Missional emphasis -- downtown, poor, homeless. This will be a fantastic opportunity to go deeper in discipleship relationships with people who are seeking Jesus. It will also be a great chance to team up with the Thurs night bbq crew and enter into ministry and building family among the poor.
MID-TOWN SPUD
Meeting: TBD
Leaders: Tyler, Emily Sengel, Tim
Missional emphasis -- Brookside prayer AND planting communities in distant places (Boston, Reynosa, etc). We will spend time praying into God's work on Brookside, as well as in the nations -- and will actively seek to be part of both.
A few other general thoughts / reminders:
1. We very much encourage you to jump into one of these with both feet. Spuds will be the place where you experience the life of church / spiritual family. There will be prayer, worship, Bible discussions, and friendship... discipleship, outreach, sharing dreams, meeting one another's needs, and encouraging each other in Christ.
2. We are still one big family. We will have the chance to be together each Tuesday, and also on monthly worship nights, as well as Thursdays at the park and prayer times. Also, there can be overlap regarding missional vision. You can take part in Owen Park if you are part of the midtown spud, and you can be part of downtown even though you plan to be a missionary to the nations.
3. This is primarily about 2 things: 1) Going deeper as spiritual family; and (even bigger) 2) Going wider as family: inviting others in. My prayer is that the fruit of this will be people who do not know Jesus beginning to walk with Him, growing in discipleship, and belonging to spiritual family. Can you pray for that with me? And can we together find things we can do to help make it happen, by God's power?
Spuds
January 18, 2011
One of the primary reasons the boiler room exists is to reach the lost with the message of the Gospel and the love of Jesus. We aim to welcome many into God's wonderful family who are currently living "without hope and without God in the world" (Eph 2:12). This naturally means that, as a boiler room family, God intends us to grow. As much as we may enjoy our nice little group, we are not here primarily for ourselves (!). I am convinced that the way God is calling us to do this is through the multiplying of small, family-style simple church gatherings.
The following is the basic road map of a plan I am proposing, along with a summary of what I believe will be the advantages to this course. The leadership team has been discussing and praying about this, and together we believe God is directing us. However, we sincerely want your input. There are still a lot of things about this that are somewhat foggy, and I believe some of you may have the insight we need. There are other areas where we think we have received wisdom to move forward, but would still very much like to know your thoughts. Also, if you have concerns or questions, please let us know.
THE PLAN. Beginning in February, we plan to meet in two different groups on Friday nights. These gatherings will take place in homes rather than at the Harvest. Each group will have its own leadership and missional focus, which I will discuss more in a minute. The gatherings will include worship, discussion of Scriptures, and prayer. One Friday a month will continue to be our all-worship night, and both groups will meet together for this. As each group grows and new leaders emerge, they will multiply again and other groups will start. Eventually we will have many different 'simple churches' meeting throughout the city.
We will be many groups (which we are calling "spuds"), but will still continue to be one church -- one family -- as well. We will continue to meet together every Tuesday night as one group and share a meal together. This will also become the primary time of teaching for this next season. We will also be together at Owen Park on Thursday nights, and will have various prayer and other events happening throughout the week. These are all opportunities to be together with people who are part of different spuds. We will go on pilgrimages together, have joint retreats and mission trips, and facilitate 24-7 prayer weeks all as one body.
As mentioned, our two initial spuds will begin meeting separately on Friday nights sometime next month. One of the spuds will center on DOWNTOWN. The Owen Park outreach will be a primary focus of this group. Our prayer is that some of our friends from the Thurs Bbq will join this spud and begin walking together in discipleship. This will be a great opportunity to go deeper with the poor and broken in our midst, and to invite people in who will greatly enrich our family with their involvement.
The second group will be our MID-TOWN spud. This one will initially have two focuses -- one will be to move forward with the Brookside prayer movement, and the other will be more of a long-distance missions emphasis. This group will be actively pursuing the planting of new communities in places like Reynosa and Boston (Plymouth).
ADVANTAGES. I'm going to list a few reasons why I am really excited about this new season:
1. REACHING PEOPLE. As I mentioned at the beginning, I believe that this is how God is calling us as the boiler room to reach more people for Him. I love the experience of intimate, spiritual family that the boiler room has become for me, and I want to offer that to many others whom Jesus loves.
2. MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO BE DEEPLY INVOLVED. As we proceed with this plan, the role that each of us plays in the boiler room becomes more significant, and I think that is really good. There will be more opportunities for leadership and service. There will be more expected of us as active members of spiritual family. Your spud will be counting on you in more ways than would be the case in larger groups.
3. EVERYONE IS "IN". The bigger we get, the more easy it is to be on the outskirts of the group. My heart is that each person that comes to the boiler room has the chance to genuinely be in the "inner circle." In fact, my aim is to do as much as we can to eliminate the possibility of outer circles. There are no secondary members of God's family, and I long to see that truth displayed each week in the boiler room.
4. KEEPING IT SIMPLE. One of our goals from the beginning of this journey has been to live out values of "simple church." Gathering in small groups helps us to not get too complicated, to not get too into performance, to not be about numbers or programs. We want to very simply live out the simple values and lifestyle of the people we read about in the book of Acts -- focusing on simple things like praying together, eating together, sharing together, studying the Word together, etc.
The following is the basic road map of a plan I am proposing, along with a summary of what I believe will be the advantages to this course. The leadership team has been discussing and praying about this, and together we believe God is directing us. However, we sincerely want your input. There are still a lot of things about this that are somewhat foggy, and I believe some of you may have the insight we need. There are other areas where we think we have received wisdom to move forward, but would still very much like to know your thoughts. Also, if you have concerns or questions, please let us know.
THE PLAN. Beginning in February, we plan to meet in two different groups on Friday nights. These gatherings will take place in homes rather than at the Harvest. Each group will have its own leadership and missional focus, which I will discuss more in a minute. The gatherings will include worship, discussion of Scriptures, and prayer. One Friday a month will continue to be our all-worship night, and both groups will meet together for this. As each group grows and new leaders emerge, they will multiply again and other groups will start. Eventually we will have many different 'simple churches' meeting throughout the city.
We will be many groups (which we are calling "spuds"), but will still continue to be one church -- one family -- as well. We will continue to meet together every Tuesday night as one group and share a meal together. This will also become the primary time of teaching for this next season. We will also be together at Owen Park on Thursday nights, and will have various prayer and other events happening throughout the week. These are all opportunities to be together with people who are part of different spuds. We will go on pilgrimages together, have joint retreats and mission trips, and facilitate 24-7 prayer weeks all as one body.
As mentioned, our two initial spuds will begin meeting separately on Friday nights sometime next month. One of the spuds will center on DOWNTOWN. The Owen Park outreach will be a primary focus of this group. Our prayer is that some of our friends from the Thurs Bbq will join this spud and begin walking together in discipleship. This will be a great opportunity to go deeper with the poor and broken in our midst, and to invite people in who will greatly enrich our family with their involvement.
The second group will be our MID-TOWN spud. This one will initially have two focuses -- one will be to move forward with the Brookside prayer movement, and the other will be more of a long-distance missions emphasis. This group will be actively pursuing the planting of new communities in places like Reynosa and Boston (Plymouth).
ADVANTAGES. I'm going to list a few reasons why I am really excited about this new season:
1. REACHING PEOPLE. As I mentioned at the beginning, I believe that this is how God is calling us as the boiler room to reach more people for Him. I love the experience of intimate, spiritual family that the boiler room has become for me, and I want to offer that to many others whom Jesus loves.
2. MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO BE DEEPLY INVOLVED. As we proceed with this plan, the role that each of us plays in the boiler room becomes more significant, and I think that is really good. There will be more opportunities for leadership and service. There will be more expected of us as active members of spiritual family. Your spud will be counting on you in more ways than would be the case in larger groups.
3. EVERYONE IS "IN". The bigger we get, the more easy it is to be on the outskirts of the group. My heart is that each person that comes to the boiler room has the chance to genuinely be in the "inner circle." In fact, my aim is to do as much as we can to eliminate the possibility of outer circles. There are no secondary members of God's family, and I long to see that truth displayed each week in the boiler room.
4. KEEPING IT SIMPLE. One of our goals from the beginning of this journey has been to live out values of "simple church." Gathering in small groups helps us to not get too complicated, to not get too into performance, to not be about numbers or programs. We want to very simply live out the simple values and lifestyle of the people we read about in the book of Acts -- focusing on simple things like praying together, eating together, sharing together, studying the Word together, etc.
quiet time
January 5, 2011
I need a quiet time with the Lord each day in order to make it. I really do. And, ummm.... so do you. For much of my Christian life, I thought this whole idea was a real drag. In fact, it’s been such a struggle for me over the years, that I feel somewhat hypocritical in writing about it. So that’s why I need to tell the truth. I used to hate the idea of having to get up early and try to pray and read the Bible every stinkin day. Actually, I reasoned I could give myself a break on Sundays since I was going to church anyway, and there would be plenty of praying, worshipping, and Bible there. To be fair, there were occasions when I sort of liked it. There were seasons when it was better, and I would walk in the realization of how much I needed it.
When my wife and I first went to live in Africa, we served under a mission that required us to sign a statement saying we would spend at least an hour in personal prayer and Bible Study every day. When we first arrived in Uganda, it was incredible. I lived with such a constant awareness of my need for help from heaven, that the hour-a-day was no problem at all. I was being assaulted by all kinds of stuff that was so new to me, and I was desperate for God. But as the months and then years went by, I got more comfortable. I lost the desperation. And horrible pangs of guilt would strike me once every year when we opened the mail and found the dreaded document from our mission – the renewal of the prayer covenant. Guilt. My devotional life could be summarized with a few words: inconsistent. guilt. bland. Yes, I’d sign the repulsive form – with genuine repentance and determination to do better. It never lasted.
In Africa, I used to go on mission trips with my Ugandan fellow-workers from time to time. It was crazy. Inevitably, after experiencing a restless few hours of sleep because of the newness of the place, the fear of rats, or whatever, I’d hear the infuriating sound. My friend (or friends) would be up praying. And don’t think this was a ‘quiet time.’ Oh no. We’re talking serious spiritual warfare, binding demons, crying out to God, singing, worshipping, intense, fervent, passionate prayer. I’d look at my clock (4:00 in the freakin morning!”) groan, roll over, put whatever was serving as my pillow over my head, and try to get back to blissful slumber. I was annoyed. I’d eventually fade back out, only to wake up several hours later with that familiar companion rubbing it in – guilt.
Oh, but please listen to me! Prayer is a beautiful gift to you from your Creator. The Bible is an incomparable treasure. And you desperately need to spend time with Jesus each day. You know it with your head. You’ve heard it dozens of times. You’ve told others. You agree with me. But have you grasped it in the deep part of your heart? It is true! You need this. Jesus Himself was all about prayer. He was always trying to get away and hang with his Father.
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:16
One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. Luke 6:12
About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. Luke 9:28
One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples." Luke 11:1
They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." Mark 14:32
God calls us to pray and read the Bible and fast and worship and all that stuff for a reason. It’s not meant to be a drag or to constantly wear us down with guilt. It’s because we need it. I have a passion within me to know Jesus and to live for him and his glory. It burns in my heart. I really believe I’d do anything to bring it about. But I know this from experience: passions can fade. They can lose their heat. I don’t want to lose this passion, so I gotta feed it. I have to fan it into flame.
This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. 2 Tim 1:6 (NLT)
There’s some stuff that we need to fight to keep. Our passion for Jesus is one of them. Our desire for his glory. Our determination for our lives to count for him. Our longing for his Kingdom to come.
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33 (NLT)
Seek it. Fan it into flame. That’ why all this stuff – what we sometimes call spiritual disciplines – is so important. It’s how we fan the flame, seek the Kingdom, feed the passion. This is one of the secrets to maintaining steady, guilt-free, sweet quiet times with the Lord – to know why we’re doing it. We’re doing it because we love him, we want to know him, we need it just to stay saved, and to keep the godly passions ablaze in our hearts. Here are a few other ideas as to how to maintain a quiet time:
1 Be accountable. D-groups are great for this, and have been a big help for me. Confessing my failures and speaking out my goals truly helps me to be more consistent. Find a friend or two to do this with. Encourage and exhort one another. Do not make excuses for each other. Spur one another on!
2 Focus on grace, not guilt. Receive God’s grace when you fail. When you miss a day or two. When you do pray but you don’t believe, or you do read the Bible but you don’t focus. This is not a duty. It’s not something God requires of you just because. This is your food. You don’t beat yourself up if you miss breakfast. It just makes you extra ready for lunch. Be motivated by hunger, not guilt.
3 Get inspired. Read books about prayer. Listen to audio teachings. Find things that motivate and encourage you in prayer. Fan the flame.
4 Pray according to the pattern Jesus taught in Matthew 6:9-13. This could be an in-depth teaching in itself, but briefly it could broken down like this:
> Our Father in heaven, hallowed be thy name: Approach God as your Father. Meditate on this. And then worship him. Lay your life before him as a living sacrifice (Rom 12:1)
> your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Surrender yourself to God’s will today. Commit yourself to pursuing what he wants. In praying for his kingdom to come, intercede for others. Pray for the lost. This is spiritual warfare. Be fervent!
> Give us today our daily bread. Make your requests known to God. He invites you to ask for what you need.
> Forgive us our sins, as we also have forgiven those who have sinned against us. Ask the Lord to reveal your sins to you, and repent of them one by one. Also consciously forgive anyone who has offended you.
> And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one. Ask for help to overcome sin today. You know the areas where you are likely to struggle. Get help from heaven! Also pray against every scheme and attack of the enemy.
> For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen. End with declaring and reminding yourself that it’s all his, and all about him.
Do this as a pattern, but be sensitive to the Holy Spirit. Don’t let your time with Jesus denigrate into a business meeting. Be flexible and spontaneous as well. Use the form, but don’t get stuck in it.
5 Journal. A prayer journal has been a terrific help in my quiet times. I pray and read the Bible, but I also take time to write out what’s happening within me. I often do this as a prayer, but it’s always a different experience than a spoken prayer. I write about what’s bothering me or what I’m excited about or what I’m learning. I love to write what I sense God may be speaking to me, and what he’s been teaching me through a sermon or an experience or the Bible or another person or simply from his Spirit speaking in my heart. I love this.
Ask God to help you. He wants to help you in this. He wants to spend quality time with you. He wants to abide with you. Keep asking him. Don’t give up. He will increase your desire.
When my wife and I first went to live in Africa, we served under a mission that required us to sign a statement saying we would spend at least an hour in personal prayer and Bible Study every day. When we first arrived in Uganda, it was incredible. I lived with such a constant awareness of my need for help from heaven, that the hour-a-day was no problem at all. I was being assaulted by all kinds of stuff that was so new to me, and I was desperate for God. But as the months and then years went by, I got more comfortable. I lost the desperation. And horrible pangs of guilt would strike me once every year when we opened the mail and found the dreaded document from our mission – the renewal of the prayer covenant. Guilt. My devotional life could be summarized with a few words: inconsistent. guilt. bland. Yes, I’d sign the repulsive form – with genuine repentance and determination to do better. It never lasted.
In Africa, I used to go on mission trips with my Ugandan fellow-workers from time to time. It was crazy. Inevitably, after experiencing a restless few hours of sleep because of the newness of the place, the fear of rats, or whatever, I’d hear the infuriating sound. My friend (or friends) would be up praying. And don’t think this was a ‘quiet time.’ Oh no. We’re talking serious spiritual warfare, binding demons, crying out to God, singing, worshipping, intense, fervent, passionate prayer. I’d look at my clock (4:00 in the freakin morning!”) groan, roll over, put whatever was serving as my pillow over my head, and try to get back to blissful slumber. I was annoyed. I’d eventually fade back out, only to wake up several hours later with that familiar companion rubbing it in – guilt.
Oh, but please listen to me! Prayer is a beautiful gift to you from your Creator. The Bible is an incomparable treasure. And you desperately need to spend time with Jesus each day. You know it with your head. You’ve heard it dozens of times. You’ve told others. You agree with me. But have you grasped it in the deep part of your heart? It is true! You need this. Jesus Himself was all about prayer. He was always trying to get away and hang with his Father.
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:16
One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. Luke 6:12
About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. Luke 9:28
One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples." Luke 11:1
They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." Mark 14:32
God calls us to pray and read the Bible and fast and worship and all that stuff for a reason. It’s not meant to be a drag or to constantly wear us down with guilt. It’s because we need it. I have a passion within me to know Jesus and to live for him and his glory. It burns in my heart. I really believe I’d do anything to bring it about. But I know this from experience: passions can fade. They can lose their heat. I don’t want to lose this passion, so I gotta feed it. I have to fan it into flame.
This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. 2 Tim 1:6 (NLT)
There’s some stuff that we need to fight to keep. Our passion for Jesus is one of them. Our desire for his glory. Our determination for our lives to count for him. Our longing for his Kingdom to come.
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33 (NLT)
Seek it. Fan it into flame. That’ why all this stuff – what we sometimes call spiritual disciplines – is so important. It’s how we fan the flame, seek the Kingdom, feed the passion. This is one of the secrets to maintaining steady, guilt-free, sweet quiet times with the Lord – to know why we’re doing it. We’re doing it because we love him, we want to know him, we need it just to stay saved, and to keep the godly passions ablaze in our hearts. Here are a few other ideas as to how to maintain a quiet time:
1 Be accountable. D-groups are great for this, and have been a big help for me. Confessing my failures and speaking out my goals truly helps me to be more consistent. Find a friend or two to do this with. Encourage and exhort one another. Do not make excuses for each other. Spur one another on!
2 Focus on grace, not guilt. Receive God’s grace when you fail. When you miss a day or two. When you do pray but you don’t believe, or you do read the Bible but you don’t focus. This is not a duty. It’s not something God requires of you just because. This is your food. You don’t beat yourself up if you miss breakfast. It just makes you extra ready for lunch. Be motivated by hunger, not guilt.
3 Get inspired. Read books about prayer. Listen to audio teachings. Find things that motivate and encourage you in prayer. Fan the flame.
4 Pray according to the pattern Jesus taught in Matthew 6:9-13. This could be an in-depth teaching in itself, but briefly it could broken down like this:
> Our Father in heaven, hallowed be thy name: Approach God as your Father. Meditate on this. And then worship him. Lay your life before him as a living sacrifice (Rom 12:1)
> your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Surrender yourself to God’s will today. Commit yourself to pursuing what he wants. In praying for his kingdom to come, intercede for others. Pray for the lost. This is spiritual warfare. Be fervent!
> Give us today our daily bread. Make your requests known to God. He invites you to ask for what you need.
> Forgive us our sins, as we also have forgiven those who have sinned against us. Ask the Lord to reveal your sins to you, and repent of them one by one. Also consciously forgive anyone who has offended you.
> And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one. Ask for help to overcome sin today. You know the areas where you are likely to struggle. Get help from heaven! Also pray against every scheme and attack of the enemy.
> For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen. End with declaring and reminding yourself that it’s all his, and all about him.
Do this as a pattern, but be sensitive to the Holy Spirit. Don’t let your time with Jesus denigrate into a business meeting. Be flexible and spontaneous as well. Use the form, but don’t get stuck in it.
5 Journal. A prayer journal has been a terrific help in my quiet times. I pray and read the Bible, but I also take time to write out what’s happening within me. I often do this as a prayer, but it’s always a different experience than a spoken prayer. I write about what’s bothering me or what I’m excited about or what I’m learning. I love to write what I sense God may be speaking to me, and what he’s been teaching me through a sermon or an experience or the Bible or another person or simply from his Spirit speaking in my heart. I love this.
Ask God to help you. He wants to help you in this. He wants to spend quality time with you. He wants to abide with you. Keep asking him. Don’t give up. He will increase your desire.
24-7 Prayer Week
December 30, 2010
We believe that God is once again calling us to fill an entire week with unbroken prayer, day and night. Is it truly worth it to get up in the middle of the night to fill an hour slot in a prayer room? We think so. In fact, we’re totally convinced.
It feels like at this point I am supposed to promise that God will meet you there in a special way. That there will be miracles. That your life will be touched, maybe forever altered. That you’ll love it. That the sixty minutes you committed to will seem like six as you revel in the Presence of the Almighty, and you’ll wish you had signed up for more time. Truthfully, these things regularly do happen in prayer rooms around the world, and I believe they will in this one as well. However, I am making no promises, other than that your Father likes it when you pray, and He listens and cares. And that it really does matter. It’s important.
My experiences in prayer rooms have been varied. Yes, there are times that have been very special, where I’ve felt something tingly and wonderful. There have been more times when I’ve felt sleepy and wondered what I was doing, and questioned the wisdom of signing up for the 3 am slot. But I’ve come to this conclusion: The real reason for this whole 24-7 Prayer thing has less to do with me than with God and His Kingdom. It doesn’t ultimately matter if I had a wonderful time or a very not wonderful time. Jesus wants us to pray. You and I have been invited into something that is so much bigger than us. We can actually contribute to the establishing and growing of the Kingdom of God in our city, and the primary way we do this is by praying. This is freakin exciting!
So, come and pray with us. Wonderful things will happen. Lives will be changed. Miracles will happen. The Kingdom is near!
We are committed to filling a solid week with unbroken prayer, going from January 21-28, 2011. We’d really love for you to join us. If you are interested in this, follow this link for information about how to sign up: www.thebridgetulsa.com/prayer. Also, invite your friends, churches, student groups, etc. To help you do this, we’ve set up a Facebook event. Find that here, and feel free to invite others.
God bless you!
It feels like at this point I am supposed to promise that God will meet you there in a special way. That there will be miracles. That your life will be touched, maybe forever altered. That you’ll love it. That the sixty minutes you committed to will seem like six as you revel in the Presence of the Almighty, and you’ll wish you had signed up for more time. Truthfully, these things regularly do happen in prayer rooms around the world, and I believe they will in this one as well. However, I am making no promises, other than that your Father likes it when you pray, and He listens and cares. And that it really does matter. It’s important.
My experiences in prayer rooms have been varied. Yes, there are times that have been very special, where I’ve felt something tingly and wonderful. There have been more times when I’ve felt sleepy and wondered what I was doing, and questioned the wisdom of signing up for the 3 am slot. But I’ve come to this conclusion: The real reason for this whole 24-7 Prayer thing has less to do with me than with God and His Kingdom. It doesn’t ultimately matter if I had a wonderful time or a very not wonderful time. Jesus wants us to pray. You and I have been invited into something that is so much bigger than us. We can actually contribute to the establishing and growing of the Kingdom of God in our city, and the primary way we do this is by praying. This is freakin exciting!
So, come and pray with us. Wonderful things will happen. Lives will be changed. Miracles will happen. The Kingdom is near!
We are committed to filling a solid week with unbroken prayer, going from January 21-28, 2011. We’d really love for you to join us. If you are interested in this, follow this link for information about how to sign up: www.thebridgetulsa.com/prayer. Also, invite your friends, churches, student groups, etc. To help you do this, we’ve set up a Facebook event. Find that here, and feel free to invite others.
God bless you!
A Family Thanksgiving
December 16, 2010
A Family Thanksgiving. Early on Thanksgiving afternoon, Nathan and I pulled into Owen Park. It was pretty cold, but not too bad -- probably around 40 degrees, with the sun shining. Jill had been here earlier, helping the set-up crew. She had just run home for a short break, and to get the rest of the kids. Nathan and I wandered around, greeting friends and meeting new ones. We walked over to the turkey frying area, where some men were frying and carving a ridiculous number of turkeys. The flag football game in the field was winding down, and sweaty dudes were heading over to find something to drink. I found the coffee, and Nathan got some hot chocolate. At around 3:00 all of us – around 150
people who were there at the time (a total of close to 200 people came at some point during the day) – circled up and prayed. And then we feasted like the richest people on earth. Turkey and potatoes and vegetables and rolls and cranberries and stuffing and sweet potatoes and on and on and on. And then crazy amounts of dessert.
Thanksgiving is a day to be with family, and remember all the things we are thankful for. But what about those who have no family? Some have been rejected, others have run away from abuse. Some simply have no way of getting back home, and are unsure if they would be welcome if they did. Many are bound by addictions, or hampered by mental illness, or have alienated themselves from friends and family due to their own actions. Still, Jesus calls out to them with compassion and grace. These are our friends who call the streets home, and who call the people they find there family. Holidays can be rough times.
For the last two years, some of my favorite people from the Boiler Room’s Thursday Night Bbq crew have hosted Thanksgiving in the park. Jesse, Rachel, Karissa, James, Katie, John, and many others worked and prayed and served countless hours to make it all happen this year. The heart behind this event is for the family of God to open our hearts and share the holiday with those in need, as Jesus commanded in the scripture above. It is a powerful visual invitation for people to experience God’s family and the love of Christ.
I truly can’t think of a better way to spend Thanksgiving. I loved sitting at the long tables, sharing the meal and the day with such a diverse group of people – suburban families like mine mixing with grizzled homeless men and a fantastic array of characters. It is the Father’s heart to extend His family to those whom the world often considers “the least of these” – homeless, addicted, poor, drunk, on the run, scared, sick, fatherless. All of these are precious to Jesus, and how His heart longs for them! There were lots of smiles and plenty of laughter and hugs and ‘God-bless-you-s’ and ‘mmm-this-is-good-s!’.
We closed out the evening by getting in a circle and holding hands. By this time many had headed out in search of warmth and rest, but those who remained all had the chance to share what they are thankful for. Just like we do it at home. It’s good to be with family on Thanksgiving Day.
For more information about the ongoing ministry of the Thursday Night Bbq, go to www.thursdaynightbbq.com or write to: thursday_night_bbq@yahoo.com
people who were there at the time (a total of close to 200 people came at some point during the day) – circled up and prayed. And then we feasted like the richest people on earth. Turkey and potatoes and vegetables and rolls and cranberries and stuffing and sweet potatoes and on and on and on. And then crazy amounts of dessert.
Thanksgiving is a day to be with family, and remember all the things we are thankful for. But what about those who have no family? Some have been rejected, others have run away from abuse. Some simply have no way of getting back home, and are unsure if they would be welcome if they did. Many are bound by addictions, or hampered by mental illness, or have alienated themselves from friends and family due to their own actions. Still, Jesus calls out to them with compassion and grace. These are our friends who call the streets home, and who call the people they find there family. Holidays can be rough times.For the last two years, some of my favorite people from the Boiler Room’s Thursday Night Bbq crew have hosted Thanksgiving in the park. Jesse, Rachel, Karissa, James, Katie, John, and many others worked and prayed and served countless hours to make it all happen this year. The heart behind this event is for the family of God to open our hearts and share the holiday with those in need, as Jesus commanded in the scripture above. It is a powerful visual invitation for people to experience God’s family and the love of Christ.
I truly can’t think of a better way to spend Thanksgiving. I loved sitting at the long tables, sharing the meal and the day with such a diverse group of people – suburban families like mine mixing with grizzled homeless men and a fantastic array of characters. It is the Father’s heart to extend His family to those whom the world often considers “the least of these” – homeless, addicted, poor, drunk, on the run, scared, sick, fatherless. All of these are precious to Jesus, and how His heart longs for them! There were lots of smiles and plenty of laughter and hugs and ‘God-bless-you-s’ and ‘mmm-this-is-good-s!’.
We closed out the evening by getting in a circle and holding hands. By this time many had headed out in search of warmth and rest, but those who remained all had the chance to share what they are thankful for. Just like we do it at home. It’s good to be with family on Thanksgiving Day.For more information about the ongoing ministry of the Thursday Night Bbq, go to www.thursdaynightbbq.com or write to: thursday_night_bbq@yahoo.com
Commit to Prayer
November 24, 2010
We want to live according to the values we profess, but it doesn’t come naturally -- even with things we feel desperately passionate about. We need to do something about what we believe. We’ve been talking about simple values that define who we are as a boiler room (church), and the practices that help us live true to those values. Specifically, we are talking about the practices of prayer, mission, and discipleship. How can we commit to live out these essential habits? I strongly suggest that we need to make sacred commitments before the Lord and our friends, who will help us to live them out. This is why when we gather on Friday evening, December 10, we are going to have the opportunity to make these commitments. I urge you to be prayerfully considering these issues leading up to that day.
The first practice we have been discussing is prayer, and we’ve made some suggestions for how to help engage consistently in prayer. I want to challenge you to genuinely consider the following, and be prepared to make a commitment to these on December 10.
1 Seasons of Prayer. Our goal for this year (Sep 10 – Aug 11) is to have four weeks of 24-7 prayer as a boiler room. We had the first one in October, and are looking for number 2 in late January. Fully engaging in these weeks of intense prayer is a great way of entering into prayer as a family.
2 Regular Corporate Prayer. Commit to a time of corporate prayer on a regular basis. Sincerely ask the Lord if He would have you do this weekly, monthly, or something in between. Currently, the boiler room meets for prayer on Wednesday evenings at 8:30 in the Westside prayer room. This session is lead by Jesse McIntyre. We also have men’s prayer every Friday morning at 8:00 in the man flat. Seth Kittinger heads this up. If you are not able to come on those times, please simply choose another time and location, and decide how often you would like to meet. Let us know and we’ll get the word out. And then just start!
3 Personal Prayer. Commit to daily personal prayer. Again, seek the Lord about how to do this. In the mornings? Evenings? You can set aside 15 minutes or an hour. But centering yourself on Jesus every day in a consistent manner is really important. Make this a part of your d-group discussion. Have your accountability partners ask you about your prayer life each week.
The first practice we have been discussing is prayer, and we’ve made some suggestions for how to help engage consistently in prayer. I want to challenge you to genuinely consider the following, and be prepared to make a commitment to these on December 10.
1 Seasons of Prayer. Our goal for this year (Sep 10 – Aug 11) is to have four weeks of 24-7 prayer as a boiler room. We had the first one in October, and are looking for number 2 in late January. Fully engaging in these weeks of intense prayer is a great way of entering into prayer as a family.
2 Regular Corporate Prayer. Commit to a time of corporate prayer on a regular basis. Sincerely ask the Lord if He would have you do this weekly, monthly, or something in between. Currently, the boiler room meets for prayer on Wednesday evenings at 8:30 in the Westside prayer room. This session is lead by Jesse McIntyre. We also have men’s prayer every Friday morning at 8:00 in the man flat. Seth Kittinger heads this up. If you are not able to come on those times, please simply choose another time and location, and decide how often you would like to meet. Let us know and we’ll get the word out. And then just start!
3 Personal Prayer. Commit to daily personal prayer. Again, seek the Lord about how to do this. In the mornings? Evenings? You can set aside 15 minutes or an hour. But centering yourself on Jesus every day in a consistent manner is really important. Make this a part of your d-group discussion. Have your accountability partners ask you about your prayer life each week.
the DISCIPLESHIP challenge
November 23, 2010
On Friday I shared some pretty tough thoughts concerning discipleship. I’m going to throw the quotes I shared at the end of this, and also point you to the scriptures we discussed. I really encourage you to read back through them and consider the claim that JESUS has on your life…
These kinds of thoughts inspire and challenge me. I need this stuff. However, I know that in order to live up to these passions, I need to make some concrete commitments. As much as this is all about our hearts, our faith, our love for Jesus… it needs to be worked out in practical obedience. That’s really the heart of our current discussions with the boiler room. Those of us who are satisfied that God has called us to make our spiritual home in the boiler room family must consider the values that shape us. And of course these values, if they are worth anything, must lead us to significant commitments.
Our values are simply to love God, love one another, and love the lost and the broken of the world. We express these values through the practices of prayer, discipleship, and mission. And over the next couple weeks, I sincerely want to challenge you to consider how God is calling you to live out these values in a consistent, intentional way. I’ve been offering some suggestions in our Friday gatherings, and will continue to do so this week. I also hope to post summaries of this here in the coming week or so.
------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 9:23-25. We are called by Jesus to die to self.
Luke 9:57-62. Can we follow Jesus on our own terms, or with any kind of conditions? Can we follow him without a commitment to absolute obedience?
Luke 14:25-33. All other relationships and affections must be secondary to the call of Jesus. Have we counted the cost?
Matthew 13:44-46. IT’S WORTH IT ALL TO FOLLOW JESUS!!!!
------------------------------------------------------------
I believe being a disciple of Jesus is liberating. Not the cheap, easy kind of discipleship that offers lots of blessing with no sacrifice or accountability. I'm speaking about the simple-but-deep, lay-down-your-life kind of discipleship… Simple Jesus-style discipleship is for those who want genuine passion with depth in their walk with Jesus. -- Floyd McClung
If we lose this generation of young people it will not because we did not entertain them, but because we did not challenge them. -- Shane Claiborne
The only man who has the right to say that he is justified by grace alone is the man who has left all to follow Christ. -- Dietrick Bonhoeffer
Only the man who answers the call to absolute discipleship experiences the freedom, the rest, the easy burden of Jesus. -- Dietrick Bonhoeffer
Costly grace is the Gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock.
Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son: “ye were bought at a price,” and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us. Costly grace is the incarnation of God. -- Dietrick Bonhoeffer
When Christ calls a man he bids him come and die -- Dietrick Bonhoeffer
These kinds of thoughts inspire and challenge me. I need this stuff. However, I know that in order to live up to these passions, I need to make some concrete commitments. As much as this is all about our hearts, our faith, our love for Jesus… it needs to be worked out in practical obedience. That’s really the heart of our current discussions with the boiler room. Those of us who are satisfied that God has called us to make our spiritual home in the boiler room family must consider the values that shape us. And of course these values, if they are worth anything, must lead us to significant commitments.
Our values are simply to love God, love one another, and love the lost and the broken of the world. We express these values through the practices of prayer, discipleship, and mission. And over the next couple weeks, I sincerely want to challenge you to consider how God is calling you to live out these values in a consistent, intentional way. I’ve been offering some suggestions in our Friday gatherings, and will continue to do so this week. I also hope to post summaries of this here in the coming week or so.
------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 9:23-25. We are called by Jesus to die to self.
Luke 9:57-62. Can we follow Jesus on our own terms, or with any kind of conditions? Can we follow him without a commitment to absolute obedience?
Luke 14:25-33. All other relationships and affections must be secondary to the call of Jesus. Have we counted the cost?
Matthew 13:44-46. IT’S WORTH IT ALL TO FOLLOW JESUS!!!!
------------------------------------------------------------
I believe being a disciple of Jesus is liberating. Not the cheap, easy kind of discipleship that offers lots of blessing with no sacrifice or accountability. I'm speaking about the simple-but-deep, lay-down-your-life kind of discipleship… Simple Jesus-style discipleship is for those who want genuine passion with depth in their walk with Jesus. -- Floyd McClung
If we lose this generation of young people it will not because we did not entertain them, but because we did not challenge them. -- Shane Claiborne
The only man who has the right to say that he is justified by grace alone is the man who has left all to follow Christ. -- Dietrick Bonhoeffer
Only the man who answers the call to absolute discipleship experiences the freedom, the rest, the easy burden of Jesus. -- Dietrick Bonhoeffer
Costly grace is the Gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock.
Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son: “ye were bought at a price,” and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us. Costly grace is the incarnation of God. -- Dietrick Bonhoeffer
When Christ calls a man he bids him come and die -- Dietrick Bonhoeffer
Following Dreams
June 8, 2010
The Boiler Room is dreaming. Beautiful, sacred, Kingdom dreams. I am energized and inspired. And I am wondering.. how do we move from dreaming to seeing? The generation that left Egypt with Moses never saw their hopes turn to reality. On the day of their redemption, as they crossed the sea on dry land, there were dreams living in their hearts. Dreams of the Promised Land. Dreams of victorious battles and being free and owning land and displaying the glory of God. And though these things all did happen, this generation missed it. I don't want the tragedy of un-lived dreams to haunt my days. By the grace of God I long to embrace the risk and the adventure of living the wild and beautiful and ridiculous dreams of Jesus. Here are a few beginning thoughts on how we can do this together:
1. Let's keep remembering. We don't usually decide one day to cancel our dreams. It's much more likely that they die a slow and subtle death. We get distracted. We forget them. Jesus said "the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful." As the years go by we gradually exchange those dangerous Kingdom dreams for safer more worldly ones. If we notice it at all, we call this process maturity. To me it is sad.
2. Let's embrace sacrifice and suffering. It has been my experience that dreams with the power to exhilarate and inspire will live or die in the mundane and the painful. We need to be determined to persevere. We must willingly endure boredom and discomfort, along with fear, doubt, loneliness, lack of support, and all kinds of physical and emotional anguish. We need tenacity. Faithfulness over the long haul. Sometimes this means years.
3. Let's pray. A lot. Paul advises that we "pray hard and long" (Eph 6:18). We must rely on the power of God. His is the major part. Again, Paul warns, "You're up against far more than you can handle on your own" (Eph 6:13). If we are determined to trust and to persevere, we can be assured that God will bring about His plans. Abide in Him. Seek Him. Live in Him. Let us continually offer up our dreams to the Father, and trust Him to have His way.
4. Let's do it together. Dreams are for the body as a whole. Individualism doesn't work here. Sometimes this means we have to lay down parts of our personal dreams as we champion those of our friends. Trust. Love. Sometimes we have to be vulnerable and speak out the passions of our hearts. Let us encourage one another, and continue to stir up the dreams that our companions on this journey have shared with us.
I love dreaming Holy Spirit dreams with my brothers and sisters in Jesus. What do you all think?
1. Let's keep remembering. We don't usually decide one day to cancel our dreams. It's much more likely that they die a slow and subtle death. We get distracted. We forget them. Jesus said "the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful." As the years go by we gradually exchange those dangerous Kingdom dreams for safer more worldly ones. If we notice it at all, we call this process maturity. To me it is sad.
2. Let's embrace sacrifice and suffering. It has been my experience that dreams with the power to exhilarate and inspire will live or die in the mundane and the painful. We need to be determined to persevere. We must willingly endure boredom and discomfort, along with fear, doubt, loneliness, lack of support, and all kinds of physical and emotional anguish. We need tenacity. Faithfulness over the long haul. Sometimes this means years.
3. Let's pray. A lot. Paul advises that we "pray hard and long" (Eph 6:18). We must rely on the power of God. His is the major part. Again, Paul warns, "You're up against far more than you can handle on your own" (Eph 6:13). If we are determined to trust and to persevere, we can be assured that God will bring about His plans. Abide in Him. Seek Him. Live in Him. Let us continually offer up our dreams to the Father, and trust Him to have His way.
4. Let's do it together. Dreams are for the body as a whole. Individualism doesn't work here. Sometimes this means we have to lay down parts of our personal dreams as we champion those of our friends. Trust. Love. Sometimes we have to be vulnerable and speak out the passions of our hearts. Let us encourage one another, and continue to stir up the dreams that our companions on this journey have shared with us.
I love dreaming Holy Spirit dreams with my brothers and sisters in Jesus. What do you all think?
Dreams
May 31, 2010
There is something powerful about friends dreaming together. If those dreams are initiated by Jesus, fueled by prayer, and committed to with passion, they can be straight-up world-changing. This is what we’re banking on.
The Tulsa Boiler Room is beginning to dream together.
We’re dreaming of transformation…
of living as family...
of hospitality and mercy and justice...
of reconciliation.
We’re dreaming of the Kingdom coming in our city and in the nations…
of life-long friendships…
of loving spouses and raising kids.
We’re dreaming of living free and authentic lives...
of creativity…
of making disciples of the nations...
of intimacy with Jesus.
We’re dreaming of living in community…
of generosity…
of gardens.
We’re dreaming of adventure…
of romance…
of contentment.
We’re dreaming of proclaiming Good News to the poor...
of binding up the broken-hearted…
of proclaiming freedom for the captives…
of release from darkness for the blind.
We’re dreaming of welcoming the marginalized – the weak, the sinful, the mentally ill, the demonized, the homeless, the broken, the addicted, the awkward, the afraid, the loner, the oppressed, the loser – welcoming them into our family, with God as Father. We’re dreaming of them being loved, accepted, healed, set free, redeemed, discipled, and sent out to welcome others.
Oh! We’re dreaming so many things! And the dreams are beautiful and they are potent. They are sacred. We are daring to believe that they are the very thoughts of God for us. I am awed.
The Tulsa Boiler Room is beginning to dream together.
We’re dreaming of transformation…
of living as family...
of hospitality and mercy and justice...
of reconciliation.
We’re dreaming of the Kingdom coming in our city and in the nations…
of life-long friendships…
of loving spouses and raising kids.
We’re dreaming of living free and authentic lives...
of creativity…
of making disciples of the nations...
of intimacy with Jesus.
We’re dreaming of living in community…
of generosity…
of gardens.
We’re dreaming of adventure…
of romance…
of contentment.
We’re dreaming of proclaiming Good News to the poor...
of binding up the broken-hearted…
of proclaiming freedom for the captives…
of release from darkness for the blind.
We’re dreaming of welcoming the marginalized – the weak, the sinful, the mentally ill, the demonized, the homeless, the broken, the addicted, the awkward, the afraid, the loner, the oppressed, the loser – welcoming them into our family, with God as Father. We’re dreaming of them being loved, accepted, healed, set free, redeemed, discipled, and sent out to welcome others.
Oh! We’re dreaming so many things! And the dreams are beautiful and they are potent. They are sacred. We are daring to believe that they are the very thoughts of God for us. I am awed.
Abide.
April 13, 2010
Every Monday Jill has a meeting at 1:00, and she brings Philip and Hannah to me so I can look after them. She packs them a lunch, and we eat it in the coffee shop where I work. On rare occasions I make hot chocolate for them as a treat to go with the sandwiches and fruit. Philip always asks for this, but for some reason the answer has been consistently ‘no’ for the past couple months. Two or three Mondays ago when I saw the van pull in, I went out to the parking lot to help the kids out of the car as usual. Philip burst out of his car seat, and with a big smile said these amazing words as he wrapped his arms around my neck, “Daddy, I’m not even going to ask you today. I just want to be with you.” Gulp.
In recent weeks I’ve heard my Heavenly Father whisper that He would love a similar experience with me and my friends. Could we simply want to be with Him – no agenda, no needs, no agonizing over getting direction? Those are all good and valid, but sometimes could we stop and realize that to be with our loving Father is better than all the hot chocolate in the world? Sometimes could we put striving away and simply adore Him? Could we look beyond all that He could do, and see Him? As I read John 15, I realize that being with Him and being full of His love is in fact our greatest calling. “Abide in me, and I will abide in you” (Jn 15:4). Just abide. Live. Remain. Be with. Accept His love and His presence. Listen as Jesus calls us His friends, and confides to us the things that are in His heart. Accept His great love, and confess that it is enough. This is glory!
Oh -- you’d better believe they got hot chocolates that day. With extra whipped cream and chocolate on top!
In recent weeks I’ve heard my Heavenly Father whisper that He would love a similar experience with me and my friends. Could we simply want to be with Him – no agenda, no needs, no agonizing over getting direction? Those are all good and valid, but sometimes could we stop and realize that to be with our loving Father is better than all the hot chocolate in the world? Sometimes could we put striving away and simply adore Him? Could we look beyond all that He could do, and see Him? As I read John 15, I realize that being with Him and being full of His love is in fact our greatest calling. “Abide in me, and I will abide in you” (Jn 15:4). Just abide. Live. Remain. Be with. Accept His love and His presence. Listen as Jesus calls us His friends, and confides to us the things that are in His heart. Accept His great love, and confess that it is enough. This is glory!
Oh -- you’d better believe they got hot chocolates that day. With extra whipped cream and chocolate on top!
The Church at Owen Park
February 23, 2010
It’s 6:30 on Thursday evening, and I’m parking my car in front of the pavilion at Owen Park. A number of friends are already there. Jesse is cooking hot dogs, and the aroma draws me nearer. Felix is standing by the grill with hands outstretched, trying to keep them warm. I’m told that Karissa had to run back to the house to get something they forgot. This is part of the weekly liturgy. I say hi to James and Ray and ‘Mom’ and ‘Pop’ and Brandon and John and Bryce and Toby and Steve and others. It’s cold tonight, but not as bad as it’s been lately.
After a few minutes, Karissa arrives and we gather in a circle and hold hands. Each of us has the opportunity to express thanks or to mention a need to be lifted up in prayer. This evening my heart is overwhelmed with thanksgiving to God as I gather with this unlikely group of friends.
Later, we’re eating hot dogs and chili, and laughing together. A sense of family permeates everything, and we are happy. Ray is joking around as always. One person tells me his story – about the abuse he experienced as a child, the restlessness and hard life he endured in his twenties, and about what happened a few months ago. Pointing to a spot of grass a few feet away, he says “it happened right there, when I finally broke down with James. I prayed and gave my life to Jesus, and everything really has been different since then.” He has many struggles in trying to follow this new life with God, but he is determined and so very grateful. The Thursday Night Bbq crew has become his family.
After food, some people wander off. The remaining twenty or so gather around the grill, huddling close together for warmth, and listen as Jesse shares a devotion from the Bible. It’s simply about receiving the love of Jesus, and living in that love all day long. Everyone in this normally rowdy and distracted group is attentive, and there are grunts of approval and agreement. The presence of the Holy Spirit is so very real. It is a holy moment. We end with prayer again together, and then pack up the things. After it’s all over, I drop Ray off near the tent that is his home, next to the railroad tracks. Sometimes I forget that more than half of this fellowship is homeless, until I have to watch them melt into the night as they tread back to their shelters. In any case, they are helping me learn more and more what church is all about, and I love how it is expressed on Thursdays nights at Owen Park..
Read more about this gathering at http://thursdaynightbbq.com
After a few minutes, Karissa arrives and we gather in a circle and hold hands. Each of us has the opportunity to express thanks or to mention a need to be lifted up in prayer. This evening my heart is overwhelmed with thanksgiving to God as I gather with this unlikely group of friends.
Later, we’re eating hot dogs and chili, and laughing together. A sense of family permeates everything, and we are happy. Ray is joking around as always. One person tells me his story – about the abuse he experienced as a child, the restlessness and hard life he endured in his twenties, and about what happened a few months ago. Pointing to a spot of grass a few feet away, he says “it happened right there, when I finally broke down with James. I prayed and gave my life to Jesus, and everything really has been different since then.” He has many struggles in trying to follow this new life with God, but he is determined and so very grateful. The Thursday Night Bbq crew has become his family.
After food, some people wander off. The remaining twenty or so gather around the grill, huddling close together for warmth, and listen as Jesse shares a devotion from the Bible. It’s simply about receiving the love of Jesus, and living in that love all day long. Everyone in this normally rowdy and distracted group is attentive, and there are grunts of approval and agreement. The presence of the Holy Spirit is so very real. It is a holy moment. We end with prayer again together, and then pack up the things. After it’s all over, I drop Ray off near the tent that is his home, next to the railroad tracks. Sometimes I forget that more than half of this fellowship is homeless, until I have to watch them melt into the night as they tread back to their shelters. In any case, they are helping me learn more and more what church is all about, and I love how it is expressed on Thursdays nights at Owen Park..
Read more about this gathering at http://thursdaynightbbq.com
Stripped!
February 17, 2010
by Arvell Craig
We want to return to Eden.
But to return back to that place of intimacy, walking and talking with the Spirit in the cool of the day... Calls for us to once again, become naked and unashamed.
We want the blessings, but we also want to remain covered. Protected and shielded. Blanketed from the winds and rains, the stains on our skin, bruises and tattoos that God didn't wipe away when he restored our relationship.
Yeah, that's definitely a surprise factor. God's salvation doesn't eliminate the effects of our past, the sins of our ancestors, nor the scars and wounds. We must learn to live with them. Live in spite of them. Like Jacob and his limp or Paul and his thorn. God works thru every weakness instead of making us independently strong.
Rarely giving us an escape from the consequences - save hell.
So after we reconnect, and commit to him; he's saying just one thing to seal the deal... Grab your sin, your shame and your protected heart... Your inability to love and be loved... Your defensive stance towards both friends and strangers... and now STRIP!
Arvell is a member of the Bridge leadership team. Read more at gebedo.com
But to return back to that place of intimacy, walking and talking with the Spirit in the cool of the day... Calls for us to once again, become naked and unashamed.
We want the blessings, but we also want to remain covered. Protected and shielded. Blanketed from the winds and rains, the stains on our skin, bruises and tattoos that God didn't wipe away when he restored our relationship.
Yeah, that's definitely a surprise factor. God's salvation doesn't eliminate the effects of our past, the sins of our ancestors, nor the scars and wounds. We must learn to live with them. Live in spite of them. Like Jacob and his limp or Paul and his thorn. God works thru every weakness instead of making us independently strong.
Rarely giving us an escape from the consequences - save hell.
So after we reconnect, and commit to him; he's saying just one thing to seal the deal... Grab your sin, your shame and your protected heart... Your inability to love and be loved... Your defensive stance towards both friends and strangers... and now STRIP!
Arvell is a member of the Bridge leadership team. Read more at gebedo.com
A Thanksgiving Invitation
November 23, 2009
by Jesse McIntyre
Hey guys I just want to extend an invitation to anyone who wants to be a part of Thursday Night BBQ's Thanksgiving in the park. God has put it on our hearts to reach out to the broken and hurting in Tulsa by living out the unconditional love and acceptance of the family of God. This is an environment where everyone from every walk of life is welcome to come and experience the Father's love shared in a simple cook out. We have had this dinner every Thursday since the middle of May, and since Thanksgiving is on a Thursday, it is a great opportunity for those that don't have a family to experience the love of their true Father and experience a true family.
The Plan: We're planning on showing up at Owen Park around 2:30 on Thanksgiving afternoon. We’re going to play flag football, card games, board games, etc. until they turkeys are finished frying...
• serving starts at 4:30ish
• after about 5:45 we will have time to hear from everyone's heart in a "Family Time"
• we plan on being done around 6:30 although you are welcome to stay as long as you want
The Location:
Owen Park 1088 W Easton Pl, Tulsa, OK, 7412. It is located on Edison about 2 block west of Denver Ave.
The Invitation:
YOU are invited. Come hang out with us. Bring your favorite Thanksgiving side or dessert. For more information, or to find out other ways you can help, write to: Thursday_night_bbq@yahoo.com
Also, get more info at the new Thursday Night Bbq website: http://thursdaynightbbq.com/Thanksgiving.html
The Plan: We're planning on showing up at Owen Park around 2:30 on Thanksgiving afternoon. We’re going to play flag football, card games, board games, etc. until they turkeys are finished frying...
• serving starts at 4:30ish
• after about 5:45 we will have time to hear from everyone's heart in a "Family Time"
• we plan on being done around 6:30 although you are welcome to stay as long as you want
The Location:
Owen Park 1088 W Easton Pl, Tulsa, OK, 7412. It is located on Edison about 2 block west of Denver Ave.
The Invitation:
YOU are invited. Come hang out with us. Bring your favorite Thanksgiving side or dessert. For more information, or to find out other ways you can help, write to: Thursday_night_bbq@yahoo.com
Also, get more info at the new Thursday Night Bbq website: http://thursdaynightbbq.com/Thanksgiving.html
24-7 Prayer: Celebration
November 5, 2009
Friday, October 23 -- A momentous day in the life of the Tulsa Boiler Room plant. We gathered at 7:00 as we do every Friday night, but this night was different somehow. It was the kick-off to our first ever week of 24-7 prayer. We had dreamed of this for a long time – more than two years, actually. And now it was happening. The preparations were complete. Invitations had been sent out. Flyers made. Friends called. Announcements given in churches. An online sign-up system put in place. The prayer room itself was beautiful, with new blank paper covering one wall and new maps of our city and world adorning another corner. To my amazement, people were signing up. It was really going to happen. And so we gathered on Friday with a sense of excitement and expectation. It felt significant.Sometime after 8:00 we gathered in a circle and held hands. We began to speak out prayers for our troubled neighborhood. Freedom. Holiness. Love. Acceptance. Redemption. Healing. Courage. Beauty. Hope. Truth. I believe in years to come we’ll look back to this night as the launching of the Tulsa Boiler Room Church. Not only were we lifting up continual prayer for those around us, but we were establishing ourselves as a community of prayer. A group of friends desperate and determined to see the Kingdom of God in our midst; to see redemption for our city.
Later as some cleaned up the grocery store where we have our gatherings, a small group moved a few paces to the north and began praying in the prayer room. At around 11:00, some of these decided to go over to Oktoberfest – a big party / festival that was taking place at a park in the neighborhood – and gather prayer requests. They came back full of excitement as they began filling the walls with the heart-cries of people whom Jesus loves. ‘Pray for my marriage.’ ‘I’m having surgery next week.’ ‘My friends’ marriage.’ ‘My broken family.’ ‘To know God.’ Not too deep maybe, but very real. And who knows what happened as all week long people came into the room and lifted these simple requests up before the Father?
As the week continued, the Spirit of God faithfully worked in our hearts. One man thought he couldn’t pray for an hour, but after a day or two was looking for two-hour slots to fill. Others found new freedom in worship, as they danced before the Lord in glorious praise. I personally heard a call to greater surrender, obedience, and commitment. Some experienced great highs and were filled with excitement. Others simply plodded along in faithful determination. One man drove back through the night from a business trip in Kansas City to make his 5:00 am prayer slot. My five year old son wrote on the wall, “Thank! You! For! Making! The! Animals!” Others wrote of failure and hope and gratitude and longing and the beauty of God.
I like this 24-7 praying thing. Even better, I think Jesus does too.
24-7 Prayer: Redemption
October 26, 2009
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost. – Lk 19:10
We pray because Jesus is worthy and we love to be with Him. We pray because we want to become more like Him. And we pray to change the world. Please make no mistake about this. Jesus is the only hope for a desperately broken and lost world, and He responds when His people pray.
I graduated from college almost twenty years ago, and on that auspicious day I set out to change the world. I was full of hope and idealistic zeal. Now I am married and have five children, and have allegedly reached a greater level of maturity. But I am still out to change the world, because Jesus is. He is all about redemption – bringing new life to situations filled with darkness and death. When I spend time with Him I feel His heart for the world that has forsaken Him and thrown itself into torment and pain and violence and perversion and evil. Oh, how He loves this world that is so intent on rebellion!
The only problem with changing the world is that it’s quite beyond me. Even if I try to focus my ambitions and try to change one life, I still find that I’m not up to the task. Crud. To be honest, I’m tired of powerless activity. Done with trying to make a splash, only to see the ripples eventually peter out to nothingness. I want to spend the rest of my life, whether that be five years or fifty, in bearing lasting fruit for the glory of the Father. And so (you already knew I was building up to this)… we pray.
As I write that simple word this morning it fills me with hope. Pray. It’s crazy. Something that used to be dreary is in danger of turning into an obsession. It’s still not always fun, but it is infused with purpose and friendship and glory. My friends and I are in the midst of a week of unbroken prayer for the transformation and redemption of our city and world. And I can honestly tell you that I believe it. I believe that God Himself has drawn us into this, and that He did so because He is up to something. He is active. He is reaching into our forgotten and broken neighborhood and bringing salvation. And He does this through prayer. I don’t get it. I can’t explain it. But I do believe it. God is at work!
Yes, God’s heart is to change the world. And through the work and delight and discipline of prayer, He calls us to join Him in it. It’s ridiculous. I love it! And I know that this praying-to-change-the-world thing will lead us into some crazy action as well (so stay tuned). He’ll help us to be the very answer to our prayers. What a God!
This is part of a series from the Tulsa 24-7 Prayer Community. For more, see http://thebridgetulsa.com/category/pray/
For more info on the week of unbroken prayer, check out http:thebridgetulsa.com/prayer
We pray because Jesus is worthy and we love to be with Him. We pray because we want to become more like Him. And we pray to change the world. Please make no mistake about this. Jesus is the only hope for a desperately broken and lost world, and He responds when His people pray.
I graduated from college almost twenty years ago, and on that auspicious day I set out to change the world. I was full of hope and idealistic zeal. Now I am married and have five children, and have allegedly reached a greater level of maturity. But I am still out to change the world, because Jesus is. He is all about redemption – bringing new life to situations filled with darkness and death. When I spend time with Him I feel His heart for the world that has forsaken Him and thrown itself into torment and pain and violence and perversion and evil. Oh, how He loves this world that is so intent on rebellion!
The only problem with changing the world is that it’s quite beyond me. Even if I try to focus my ambitions and try to change one life, I still find that I’m not up to the task. Crud. To be honest, I’m tired of powerless activity. Done with trying to make a splash, only to see the ripples eventually peter out to nothingness. I want to spend the rest of my life, whether that be five years or fifty, in bearing lasting fruit for the glory of the Father. And so (you already knew I was building up to this)… we pray.
As I write that simple word this morning it fills me with hope. Pray. It’s crazy. Something that used to be dreary is in danger of turning into an obsession. It’s still not always fun, but it is infused with purpose and friendship and glory. My friends and I are in the midst of a week of unbroken prayer for the transformation and redemption of our city and world. And I can honestly tell you that I believe it. I believe that God Himself has drawn us into this, and that He did so because He is up to something. He is active. He is reaching into our forgotten and broken neighborhood and bringing salvation. And He does this through prayer. I don’t get it. I can’t explain it. But I do believe it. God is at work!
Yes, God’s heart is to change the world. And through the work and delight and discipline of prayer, He calls us to join Him in it. It’s ridiculous. I love it! And I know that this praying-to-change-the-world thing will lead us into some crazy action as well (so stay tuned). He’ll help us to be the very answer to our prayers. What a God!
This is part of a series from the Tulsa 24-7 Prayer Community. For more, see http://thebridgetulsa.com/category/pray/
For more info on the week of unbroken prayer, check out http:thebridgetulsa.com/prayer
24-7 Prayer: Transformation
October 22, 2009
The week of 24-7 Prayer begins! It’s really happening. The biggest reason for us to pray 24-7 for an entire week is because Jesus is worthy. We love Him, and He is inviting us into His life. Our Father who adopted us and saved us wants us to make room for Him in our life. Beautiful! Amazing! This is enough. But there’s more…
We’re also praying 24-7 because we long for transformation. Specifically, we long to be transformed. We long for our world to be transformed as well, but that’s the next article, so just be patient. Actually, the first step to bringing true change in our world has to be to allow the Spirit of God to work in us. We are determined to pray because we are desperate to become more like Jesus. We do this mostly because we love Him and want to please Him. We also do it because He loves the world and He seeks to bring redemption and life to it through a people who are radically conforming themselves to His image.
To be like Jesus may mean a lot of things, but it certainly requires that we be different. In the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy, Moses pleads with the people of God to not be like the nations all around. In the Sermon on the Mount (Mat 5-7) Jesus lays out a whole new way of living that is completely alien to the ways of the world. I am praying this week that we surrender to the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our own lives so that He can do the necessary work of transformation. I cannot change myself, but I can submit to His determined yet loving hands.
Of course, the Holy Spirit does His work in us in different ways. He works through circumstances, through other people, through His Word, etc. But there is something special that happens just through spending time with Him. We are gathered into His heart and begin to see and feel from His perspective. The more we hang out with Him, the more we become like Him. This, my friends, is a good thing. Wanna join us?
We’re also praying 24-7 because we long for transformation. Specifically, we long to be transformed. We long for our world to be transformed as well, but that’s the next article, so just be patient. Actually, the first step to bringing true change in our world has to be to allow the Spirit of God to work in us. We are determined to pray because we are desperate to become more like Jesus. We do this mostly because we love Him and want to please Him. We also do it because He loves the world and He seeks to bring redemption and life to it through a people who are radically conforming themselves to His image.
To be like Jesus may mean a lot of things, but it certainly requires that we be different. In the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy, Moses pleads with the people of God to not be like the nations all around. In the Sermon on the Mount (Mat 5-7) Jesus lays out a whole new way of living that is completely alien to the ways of the world. I am praying this week that we surrender to the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our own lives so that He can do the necessary work of transformation. I cannot change myself, but I can submit to His determined yet loving hands.
Of course, the Holy Spirit does His work in us in different ways. He works through circumstances, through other people, through His Word, etc. But there is something special that happens just through spending time with Him. We are gathered into His heart and begin to see and feel from His perspective. The more we hang out with Him, the more we become like Him. This, my friends, is a good thing. Wanna join us?
24-7 Prayer: Presence
October 14, 2009
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. – Isaiah 6:1
I’m beginning to wonder if filling an entire week with prayer in a specific place is nuts. Ridiculous. Will it even happen? Why in the world?? Crazy. Unless…
Unless it’s because we want to be with Him. Because we long for Him. We love Him. And maybe there’s something even more significant – something so wonderful that I tremble to suggest it. Perhaps He Himself wants to be with us. With me. What if He is waiting for us? Wanting to reveal Himself to us as to the saints of old? Maybe he desires to share dreams and incite passions. Could it be that He wants to help us experience some of the love He has for the people around us? Perhaps He’s waiting to offer us grace and comfort and truth that we might freely give to others. My hunch is that He Himself is calling us, and that it is significant. Something in me suspects and dares to hope that He wants to pull us aside to tell us again that He loves us. I want to hear that.
Filling a week with prayer – including those long, lonely stretches throughout the night – only makes sense if we long for Him – or at least desire to long for Him. This is a sacrifice, and we unashamedly call you, our friends, to join us in it. Not because we guarantee your requests will be answered and your wildest dreams come true, but because He is worthy. He is beautiful and He is holy and He is good. I want to encounter God! Jesus is worth the effort to pursue and let Him know we love Him. He Himself is our greatest calling and our greatest privilege. Our great reward and most powerful ministry. We want to let Him know that we trust Him with our dreams and ambitions and schemes. Come with us and let’s discover Him.
As we commit to seek Him the last week of October, let us decide that we do so firstly because He loves us and we long for Him. Let us seek Him for His sake, worship Him because He is worthy, praise Him because He is glorious!
If you’d like more information on how to be part of the West Tulsa 24-7 Prayer week, go to: http://thebridgetulsa.com/prayer or contact us at info@thebridgetulsa.com
I’m beginning to wonder if filling an entire week with prayer in a specific place is nuts. Ridiculous. Will it even happen? Why in the world?? Crazy. Unless…Unless it’s because we want to be with Him. Because we long for Him. We love Him. And maybe there’s something even more significant – something so wonderful that I tremble to suggest it. Perhaps He Himself wants to be with us. With me. What if He is waiting for us? Wanting to reveal Himself to us as to the saints of old? Maybe he desires to share dreams and incite passions. Could it be that He wants to help us experience some of the love He has for the people around us? Perhaps He’s waiting to offer us grace and comfort and truth that we might freely give to others. My hunch is that He Himself is calling us, and that it is significant. Something in me suspects and dares to hope that He wants to pull us aside to tell us again that He loves us. I want to hear that.
Filling a week with prayer – including those long, lonely stretches throughout the night – only makes sense if we long for Him – or at least desire to long for Him. This is a sacrifice, and we unashamedly call you, our friends, to join us in it. Not because we guarantee your requests will be answered and your wildest dreams come true, but because He is worthy. He is beautiful and He is holy and He is good. I want to encounter God! Jesus is worth the effort to pursue and let Him know we love Him. He Himself is our greatest calling and our greatest privilege. Our great reward and most powerful ministry. We want to let Him know that we trust Him with our dreams and ambitions and schemes. Come with us and let’s discover Him.
As we commit to seek Him the last week of October, let us decide that we do so firstly because He loves us and we long for Him. Let us seek Him for His sake, worship Him because He is worthy, praise Him because He is glorious!
If you’d like more information on how to be part of the West Tulsa 24-7 Prayer week, go to: http://thebridgetulsa.com/prayer or contact us at info@thebridgetulsa.com
24-7 Prayer
October 9, 2009
Could God really be calling us to fill an entire week with unbroken prayer, day and night? Is it really worth it to get up in the middle of the night to fill an hour slot in a prayer room? We think so. In fact, we’re totally convinced.
It feels like at this point I am supposed to promise that God will meet you there in a special way. That there will be miracles. That your life will be touched, maybe forever altered. That you’ll love it. That the sixty minutes you committed to will seem like six as you revel in the Presence of the Almighty, and you’ll wish you had signed up for more time. Truthfully, these things regularly do happen in prayer rooms around the world, and I believe they will in West Tulsa as well. However, I am making no promises, other than that your Father likes it when you pray, and He listens and cares. And that it really does matter. It’s important.
My experiences in prayer rooms have been varied. Yes, there are times that have been very special, where I’ve felt something tingly and wonderful. There have been more times when I’ve felt sleepy and wondered what I was doing, and questioned the wisdom of signing up for the 3 am slot. But I’ve come to this conclusion: The real reason for this whole 24-7 Prayer thing has less to do with me than with God and His Kingdom. It doesn’t ultimately matter if I had a wonderful time or a very not wonderful time. Jesus wants us to pray. You and I have been invited into something that is so much bigger than us. We can actually contribute to the establishing and growing of the Kingdom of God in our city, and the primary way we do this is by praying. This is freakin exciting!
So, come and pray with us. Wonderful things will happen. Lives will be changed. Miracles will happen. The Kingdom is near!
We are committed to filling a solid week with unbroken prayer, going from October 23-30. We’d really love for you to join us. If you are interested in this, follow this link for information about how to sign up: www.thebridgetulsa.com/prayer. Also, invite your friends, churches, student groups, etc. To help you do this, we’ve set up a Facebook event. Find that here, and feel free to invite others.
God bless you!
Thin Places, Prayer, and Punk Monks
September 23, 2009
Ancient Celtic monastic types used to refer to certain sacred spots as ‘thin places.’ Apparently, these were places that were devoted to prayer and where people felt a greater connection with God. We know that God is everywhere, and is always with us. We know that His glory fills the earth, and we don’t have to go anywhere to find Him. He is with me as I sit in a coffee shop typing this note. He is with you as you sit wherever reading it. But…In his book Punk Monk, Andy Freeman admits to being pretty skeptical about the idea of special places -- until he investigated further. It seems that the idea of sacred space is pretty common throughout Church history. In modern times, people all over the world are being drawn to Christ-centered prayer rooms in which they are encountering the Lord in wonderful ways. Even non-believers have attested to being aware of God’s presence in such places, and some have surrendered their lives to Jesus. I don’t really understand this, but I’ve become convinced that there’s something to it. For stories about how God is using prayer rooms around the world, go to www.24-7prayer.com.
We have a prayer room in West Tulsa, and as a boiler room community, our first desire is to fill this room with prayer. And to fill the neighborhood with prayer. And our city. And our lives. We’re making a start. There’s a corporate prayer time there every Tues through Friday morning at 7:00. Feel free to drop by sometime. In addition to this, we’re encouraging people to come in and pray for our city and the people in our community at any time. We’re also planning a full week of round-the-clock prayer. We’ll be giving more details about that in the coming weeks. This is just a start. Our desire is to become a praying people, a family centered around Jesus through prayer.
Why this? There is so much we want to do. We want to serve the hurting and down-and-out. We want to proclaim the Gospel and demonstrate the love of the Father. We want to make a difference, to see transformation. We dream of planting small churches of disciples who make disciples who make disciples. We are yearning for the Kingdom to be seen in our midst, and for the King to be glorified. And as we seek Him about all this, we believe we are hearing Him speak to us. And He is telling us to wait on Him. To not base our ministry and our lives and our church on doing this and that. He’s inviting us to pray, and to call others to pray. We know more will come, but for now we are content with this. We are desperate for the boiler room and all our outreaches to be His work. We are longing to be part of His dreams. So we pray. Jesus is our strength and wisdom. He is our reward. He is all and in all. He is our method, and He is our goal.
If you’d like more information on how to join us, please contact me, or just drop by the prayer room sometime at 2232 S Nogales Ave.
God bless you!
The Bridge Part 2: Details
September 20, 2009
Last week at the Bridge we talked about the heart behind who we are and what we hope to do: prayer, together, and mission. This week I want to begin exploring how we actually live out those passions and values. It’s a lot easier to be passionate about something than to actually act on those passions. Acting often requires sacrifice and disappointment, but it’s the only way to true fruitfulness.
The most important step in our actually doing something will be to pray. ‘You said that already last week! Where are the plans and strategies?’ Yeah, but there you go. Plan number 1: pray. Plan number 2: pray together. Plan number 3: listen and obey. (together). Our first need is to find time to gather and pray. Over the next few weeks, we will be listening for ideas about when, where, how often, etc. And we’ll start. So be checking in about that – and if you have suggestions, please let us know. Beyond prayer, I’m going to focus on a couple things: opportunities to serve and the mission of discipleship.
As far as opportunities to serve, well, they abound. Here’s a partial list of areas with which we’d love some help:
The mission of discipleship. Most of what’s listed above are great ways to build relationships, and that’s really what our mission is all about – people. The next step is to follow the directive of Matthew 28:19-20 and make disciples. Help people to be reconciled to Jesus, get to know Him, and grow to be more like Him. This involves an intentional process of looking for hungry hearts, meeting with them to discuss the words of Jesus, gathering together in small groups for accountability, teaching, corporate prayer and worship, etc, and sending them out to do the same. We do this through d-groups and through multiplying ‘simple church’ where people live and gather. We yearn to see the Kingdom of God manifested through small groups of friends joining together to deepen their walk with Jesus and help others who are not yet walking with Him. We want our Friday night gatherings to be a chance to experience this, but also to be an opportunity to be trained and encouraged in beginning new groups throughout the city.
Pray with us for the Kingdom of God to come to our city, for His will to be done here, and His glory revealed. Pray for workers for His harvest. And maybe you’ll find that you can be part of the answer to your own prayers.
The most important step in our actually doing something will be to pray. ‘You said that already last week! Where are the plans and strategies?’ Yeah, but there you go. Plan number 1: pray. Plan number 2: pray together. Plan number 3: listen and obey. (together). Our first need is to find time to gather and pray. Over the next few weeks, we will be listening for ideas about when, where, how often, etc. And we’ll start. So be checking in about that – and if you have suggestions, please let us know. Beyond prayer, I’m going to focus on a couple things: opportunities to serve and the mission of discipleship.
As far as opportunities to serve, well, they abound. Here’s a partial list of areas with which we’d love some help:
- Hanging out with people, helping to prepare food, and eating. Not real hard – but we still need help. Every Thursday evening at 7:00 at Owen Park.
- Mentoring kids from Eugene Field Elementary School. These kids are awesome, and you will love it.
- Sports – taking kids to soccer games and cheering for them. Seriously. So much fun, and really needed.
- Volunteer at the Westside Harvest market. This store is set up as a ministry / community center for the neighborhood. It helps residents by providing the only inexpensive shopping for basic needs in the neighborhood. It is also a terrific opportunity to meet people and develop relationships.
- Pray. Yep, I had to get that in here again. Prayer walking. Coming to the prayer room and praying over the pictures of people in the community. Prayer is great outreach.
- Other. You can pretty much fill in this one.
The mission of discipleship. Most of what’s listed above are great ways to build relationships, and that’s really what our mission is all about – people. The next step is to follow the directive of Matthew 28:19-20 and make disciples. Help people to be reconciled to Jesus, get to know Him, and grow to be more like Him. This involves an intentional process of looking for hungry hearts, meeting with them to discuss the words of Jesus, gathering together in small groups for accountability, teaching, corporate prayer and worship, etc, and sending them out to do the same. We do this through d-groups and through multiplying ‘simple church’ where people live and gather. We yearn to see the Kingdom of God manifested through small groups of friends joining together to deepen their walk with Jesus and help others who are not yet walking with Him. We want our Friday night gatherings to be a chance to experience this, but also to be an opportunity to be trained and encouraged in beginning new groups throughout the city.
Pray with us for the Kingdom of God to come to our city, for His will to be done here, and His glory revealed. Pray for workers for His harvest. And maybe you’ll find that you can be part of the answer to your own prayers.
The Bridge Part 1: Heart
September 13, 2009
This week and next we’re inviting friends and anyone who may be interested to come find out about what is happening with the West Tulsa 24-7 Prayer community. We’ll be at the Westside Harvest Market (2232 S Nogales) at 7:00 this Friday evening (Sep 4). The first week I want to talk about heart – what are the values and passions behind what we are doing. Next week we’ll get more into specifics about the what and the how. But we have to start with the why. There are three things that are foundational to who we are and where we are doing. In brief, these are:
1. Prayer. No-brainer, maybe. Basic. Even un-exciting? We don’t think so. The reason prayer is primary is that we are a Jesus-centered community. We’re not simply about getting together and feeling good about ourselves. We’re not into mere self-help or making friends or finding purpose or even serving the needy. We are about Jesus. He is our vision and our reward. He is our Master. It is for love of Him that we serve and for His glory that we gather. Intimacy with Him is our delight. Serving Him our privilege.
We value prayer because anything worth doing or being must be absolutely centered on Jesus. We are passionate about prayer because we are desperate for God and acutely aware of our own weakness. We put prayer first because our Father loves us, and we love Him too.
2. Together. We have no desire to do this alone. Some of us have tried that, and it’s just no good. We have high aspirations in this. We want to be more than community. Community is so temporal, and temperamental. It’s held together by geography or common interest or common belief or common cause. We want to be something held together by the greatest bonds – those of love. This is called family. It feels risky even to write that or speak it out loud, because I wonder if such a goal is truly attainable. Yet I think it’s the promise of the Scriptures. It’s God’s desire for us. “This kingdom of faith is now your home country. You're no longer strangers or outsiders. You belong here... God is building a home.” (Eph 2:19). We belong. God is building a home. These are central and powerful truths that describe who we aim to be. Of course, we cannot create this – which is why we begin with prayer. With Jesus at the center, God can make us a family. His family.
3. Mission. I am convinced that God is on a mission. Jesus said, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost” (Lk 19:10). The more we love Jesus, and the closer we get to His heart, we ourselves become more and more passionate about His longing to bring redemption to the lost and hurting and broken and bound people that He created and loves.
A gathering of Christians cannot properly call itself Church if it exists simply to meet its own needs and continue… existing. If it is all about personal growth or spiritual experiences it might be a nice group, but it isn't the Church that Jesus said will not be defeated even by the gates of Hell. Too easily we can become a food distribution experience for the overfed. Church does not exist primarily for me to “get fed,” but for the glory of Jesus to be seen in the nations through the redemption of His creation. This is the mission of Jesus, and we really want to be part of it. Not as hired hands who are looking for a paycheck and a pat on the back, but as beloved sons and daughters who have been invited to participate in their Father’s great work.
Like many of us, I am not very good at mission. Nor at relationships. And certainly not at prayer. So it seems a bit hypocritical to say this is who we are. And yet… Yet, this is who we long to become. This is in our hearts. This is a longing and a desperation. This is a commitment. And the encouraging thing is that we can go after it together, empowered by the grace of God. I think it’s God’s dream, and in that there is hope.
1. Prayer. No-brainer, maybe. Basic. Even un-exciting? We don’t think so. The reason prayer is primary is that we are a Jesus-centered community. We’re not simply about getting together and feeling good about ourselves. We’re not into mere self-help or making friends or finding purpose or even serving the needy. We are about Jesus. He is our vision and our reward. He is our Master. It is for love of Him that we serve and for His glory that we gather. Intimacy with Him is our delight. Serving Him our privilege.
We value prayer because anything worth doing or being must be absolutely centered on Jesus. We are passionate about prayer because we are desperate for God and acutely aware of our own weakness. We put prayer first because our Father loves us, and we love Him too.
2. Together. We have no desire to do this alone. Some of us have tried that, and it’s just no good. We have high aspirations in this. We want to be more than community. Community is so temporal, and temperamental. It’s held together by geography or common interest or common belief or common cause. We want to be something held together by the greatest bonds – those of love. This is called family. It feels risky even to write that or speak it out loud, because I wonder if such a goal is truly attainable. Yet I think it’s the promise of the Scriptures. It’s God’s desire for us. “This kingdom of faith is now your home country. You're no longer strangers or outsiders. You belong here... God is building a home.” (Eph 2:19). We belong. God is building a home. These are central and powerful truths that describe who we aim to be. Of course, we cannot create this – which is why we begin with prayer. With Jesus at the center, God can make us a family. His family.
3. Mission. I am convinced that God is on a mission. Jesus said, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost” (Lk 19:10). The more we love Jesus, and the closer we get to His heart, we ourselves become more and more passionate about His longing to bring redemption to the lost and hurting and broken and bound people that He created and loves.
A gathering of Christians cannot properly call itself Church if it exists simply to meet its own needs and continue… existing. If it is all about personal growth or spiritual experiences it might be a nice group, but it isn't the Church that Jesus said will not be defeated even by the gates of Hell. Too easily we can become a food distribution experience for the overfed. Church does not exist primarily for me to “get fed,” but for the glory of Jesus to be seen in the nations through the redemption of His creation. This is the mission of Jesus, and we really want to be part of it. Not as hired hands who are looking for a paycheck and a pat on the back, but as beloved sons and daughters who have been invited to participate in their Father’s great work.
Like many of us, I am not very good at mission. Nor at relationships. And certainly not at prayer. So it seems a bit hypocritical to say this is who we are. And yet… Yet, this is who we long to become. This is in our hearts. This is a longing and a desperation. This is a commitment. And the encouraging thing is that we can go after it together, empowered by the grace of God. I think it’s God’s dream, and in that there is hope.
Happy Birthday in the Park
August 20, 2009
It’s a bit of an eclectic gathering for sure, and you’re never sure who will show up or what might happen. It’s fun like that. Some live on the streets, others in the suburbs. Some are educated, others not. Some are church-goers, others church-avoiders. It seems everyone likes hot dogs and hamburgers though, and hanging out in the park with friends. That’s what happens every Thursday at Owen Park in North Tulsa. Food, joking, conversation, sometimes basketball, always a simple time of thanksgiving and prayer. Lots of smiles, and sometimes tears as well. Friendship happens, and the occasional fight. Jesus walks among us, and touches wounded and desperate hearts with His love.
Last Thursday was Jesse’s birthday, and it was quite a party. Jesse is part of the 24-7 Prayer community in Tulsa, and a ringleader of this unusual gathering. How beautiful to see his mom, uncle, sister, and their families come to celebrate his birthday with us. This does not feel like an outreach or a “ministry.” It’s a lot more like friends and family hanging out in the park and having a barbecue. And yet, powerful things happen. People experience the love of God. Some have decided to follow Jesus. Some have discovered family in this ragtag crew. One lady thanks God for setting her free from addictions. A man prays for grace to overcome his anger and bitterness. Another asks to hear the story of Jesus. In tears, a woman thanks God for her new friends. Everyone eats their fill.
Jesse, along with fellow-conspirators Karissa and James, has been providing this meal every week for the past three or four months. When they don’t have money to buy food, God always provides in different ways. Once recently, Jesse had been out of work for a couple weeks and had no money. By noon on Thursday, there was still no food. By 1:00, A man none of them had met previously felt directed by the Lord to give $100 when he heard about the weekly gathering. And so it goes.
They are now dreaming of beginning simple church families with these new friends, and eventually to have a discipleship house where they can offer help to people who want to get off of the streets and follow Jesus and find new life.
Last Thursday was Jesse’s birthday, and it was quite a party. Jesse is part of the 24-7 Prayer community in Tulsa, and a ringleader of this unusual gathering. How beautiful to see his mom, uncle, sister, and their families come to celebrate his birthday with us. This does not feel like an outreach or a “ministry.” It’s a lot more like friends and family hanging out in the park and having a barbecue. And yet, powerful things happen. People experience the love of God. Some have decided to follow Jesus. Some have discovered family in this ragtag crew. One lady thanks God for setting her free from addictions. A man prays for grace to overcome his anger and bitterness. Another asks to hear the story of Jesus. In tears, a woman thanks God for her new friends. Everyone eats their fill.
Jesse, along with fellow-conspirators Karissa and James, has been providing this meal every week for the past three or four months. When they don’t have money to buy food, God always provides in different ways. Once recently, Jesse had been out of work for a couple weeks and had no money. By noon on Thursday, there was still no food. By 1:00, A man none of them had met previously felt directed by the Lord to give $100 when he heard about the weekly gathering. And so it goes.They are now dreaming of beginning simple church families with these new friends, and eventually to have a discipleship house where they can offer help to people who want to get off of the streets and follow Jesus and find new life.